Universal cartridge based key feature that unlocks multiple lockout arrangements in different surgical staplers

ABSTRACT

A stapling system that comprises a retainer for use with staple cartridges that are configured for use with multiple surgical stapling devices that comprise different lockout arrangements is disclosed. The retainer is configured to be releasably attached to a staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a lockout arrangement in any one of the surgical stapling devices in which the cartridge assembly is seated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/866,208, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITHFEATURES FOR DEFEATING LOCKOUTS IN SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES, filed Jun.25, 2019, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,310,entitled METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HASSEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,319, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2019, andof U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/807,309, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS,filed Feb. 19, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousarrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staplecartridges for use therewith that are designed to staple and cut tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein, together withadvantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a powered surgical stapling system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interchangeable surgical shaftassembly of the powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of portions of a handle assembly ofthe powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded assembly view of the interchangeable surgicalshaft assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is another partial exploded assembly view of a portion of theinterchangeable surgical shaft assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective assembly view of a surgical staplingdevice and staple cartridge of a surgical stapling assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first lockout spring of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevational view of a portion of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 6 showing the first lockout spring in retainingengagement with a firing member thereof and prior to insertion of asurgical staple cartridge into a first jaw of the surgical staplingdevice;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the portion of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of portions of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 8 showing an initial insertion of a cartridge assembly thatcomprises a retainer that is attached to a staple cartridge wherein anauthentication key on the retainer is engaging the first lockout springof the surgical stapling device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the authentication key of the retainerof FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the authentication key of the retainer of FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the authentication key of the retainer of FIG.11;

FIG. 14 is another top view of a portion of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 8 illustrating an initial insertion of the cartridge assembly ofFIG. 8 into the first jaw of the surgical stapling device;

FIG. 15 is another top view of the portion of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 14 after the retainer has been removed from the staplecartridge that is operably seated in the first jaw of the surgicalstapling device;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a portion of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 6 with a spent staple cartridge seated in the first jawand the firing member in a starting position;

FIG. 17 is another side elevational view of the surgical stapling deviceand spent staple cartridge of FIG. 16 showing a second firing memberlockout in a locked position, wherein the firing member is preventedfrom moving distally during a staple firing stroke;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a portion of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 6 with an unfired staple cartridge seated in the firstjaw and the firing member in a starting position;

FIG. 19 is another side elevational view of the surgical stapling deviceand unfired staple cartridge of FIG. 18 showing the second firing memberlockout in an unlocked position, wherein a sled in the staple cartridgeis in unlocking engagement with the firing member;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective assembly view of a surgical staplingdevice and staple cartridge of another surgical stapling assembly;

FIG. 21 is a partial side elevational view of a portion of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 20 during an initial insertion of a cartridgeassembly comprising a retainer attached to a staple cartridge into thesurgical stapling device;

FIG. 22 is another partial side view of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 21 after the cartridge assembly has been seated in a first jaw ofthe surgical stapling device and prior to removal of the retainer fromthe staple cartridge;

FIG. 23 is another partial side view of the surgical stapling assemblyof FIG. 22 after the retainer has been removed from the staplecartridge;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a proximal end of another staplecartridge;

FIG. 25 is a partial side elevational view showing an initial insertionof the staple cartridge of FIG. 24 into a surgical stapling device witha first firing member lockout thereof in an engaged or locked position;

FIG. 26 is another partial side view of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 25, with the staple cartridge of FIG. 24 operably seated thereinand the first firing member lockout in a disengaged or unlockedposition;

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective assembly view of a surgical staplingdevice and staple cartridge of another surgical stapling assembly;

FIG. 28 is a partial side elevational view of a portion of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 27 illustrating a first lockout arm of a firstlockout in a jaw locking position;

FIG. 29 is a top view of portions of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 28 with the first lockout arm in the jaw locking position;

FIG. 30 is another top view of portions of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 29 with the first lockout arm in a jaw closure position;

FIG. 31 is a partial bottom perspective view of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 29 with the first lockout arm in the jaw lockingposition;

FIG. 32 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end of a cartridgeassembly comprising another retainer attached to a staple cartridge;

FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of a proximal end portion of theretainer of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a top view of the proximal end of the retainer of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a side view of the proximal end of the retainer of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is another top view of portions of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 29 during an initial insertion of the cartridge assembly of FIG.32 therein;

FIG. 37 is another top view of portions of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 36 after the cartridge assembly has been seated therein;

FIG. 38 is another top view of portions of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 37 after the retainer has been removed from the staple cartridgeseated therein;

FIG. 38A is a top view of portions of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 37 with another cartridge assembly seated therein;

FIG. 39 is a partial perspective view of another staple cartridge withan authentication key folded into a cartridge pan of the staplecartridge;

FIG. 40 is a top view of another surgical stapling device illustratingan initial insertion of the staple cartridge of FIG. 39 therein;

FIG. 41 is a side elevational view of the surgical stapling device andstaple cartridge of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is another top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 40with the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 39 operably seated therein;

FIG. 43 is a partial perspective view of another staple cartridge withan authentication key folded into a cartridge pan of the staplecartridge;

FIG. 44 is a partial perspective view showing the staple cartridge ofFIG. 43 operably seated in another surgical stapling device;

FIG. 45 is a side elevational view of the surgical stapling device andstaple cartridge of FIG. 44 with a first lockout arm of the staplingdevice retained in a jaw closure position;

FIG. 46 is another perspective view of the surgical stapling device andstaple cartridge of FIG. 44, during an initial insertion of the staplecartridge into the surgical stapling device;

FIG. 47 is a partial perspective view of another staple cartridge withan authentication key folded into a cartridge pan of the staplecartridge;

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective assembly view of a surgical staplingdevice and staple cartridge of another surgical stapling assembly;

FIG. 49 is a side elevational view of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 48 with a first lockout arm of the surgical stapling deviceretained in a jaw locking position;

FIG. 50 is a top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 49, withthe first lockout arm in the jaw locking position;

FIG. 51 is a side elevational view of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 49 with the first lockout arm in a jaw closure position and ananvil thereof in a closed position;

FIG. 52 is another top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 49illustrating an initial insertion of a cartridge assembly comprising aretainer attached to a staple cartridge into the surgical staplingdevice;

FIG. 53 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end of the retainerof the cartridge assembly of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a top view of the proximal end of the retainer of FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 is a side view of the proximal end of the retainer of FIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is a top view of another surgical stapling device wherein afirst lockout arm is supported in an opposite side of the surgicalstapling device and during an initial insertion of the cartridgeassembly of FIG. 52 therein;

FIG. 57 is an exploded perspective assembly view of a surgical staplingdevice and staple cartridge of another surgical stapling assembly;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a first lockout spring of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a partial side elevational view of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 57 with a first lockout spring thereof in lockingengagement with a firing member of the surgical stapling device;

FIG. 60 is a top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 59 withthe first lockout spring in the engaged or locked position;

FIG. 61 is an exploded view of portions of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 60 showing an initial insertion of a cartridge assembly thatcomprises a retainer attached to a staple cartridge, wherein anauthentication key on the retainer is engaging the first lockout springof the surgical stapling device;

FIG. 62 is a top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 60illustrating an initial insertion of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 61therein;

FIG. 63 is another top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 62after the retainer has been removed from the staple cartridge seated inthe surgical stapling device;

FIG. 64 is an exploded view of a surgical system;

FIGS. 64A-64ZZ illustrate examples of various amounts of spaces that areavailable for authentication key arrangements of various staplecartridges as used in connection with different surgical staplingdevices;

FIG. 65 is an exploded perspective assembly view of a surgical staplingdevice and staple cartridge of another surgical stapling assembly;

FIG. 66 is a partial perspective view of portions of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 65;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a proximal end portion of a first jawof the surgical stapling device of FIG. 65;

FIG. 68 is a top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 65 with afirst lockout arm thereof in a jaw locking position;

FIG. 69 is a side elevational view of the surgical stapling device ofFIG. 68 with the first lockout arm in the jaw locking position;

FIG. 70 is another side elevational view of the surgical stapling deviceof FIG. 69 with the first lockout arm in a jaw closure position and ananvil thereof in a closed position;

FIG. 71 is an end elevational view of a portion of the surgical staplingdevice with the first lockout arm thereof in the jaw locking position;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge that may be employedin connection with the surgical stapling device of FIG. 65;

FIG. 73 is a top view of a portion of the first lockout arm of thesurgical stapling device of FIG. 65 illustrating an initial insertion ofthe staple cartridge of FIG. 72 therein;

FIG. 74 is another top view of the first lockout arm in engagement withan upper ramp feature of an authentication key of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 75 is another top view of the first lockout arm of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 65 during further insertion of the staplecartridge of FIG. 72 therein;

FIG. 76 is another top view of the first lockout arm of the surgicalstapling device of FIG. 65 in the jaw closure position after the staplecartridge has been operably seated in the surgical stapling device;

FIG. 77 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the first lockoutarm of FIG. 76 during closure of an anvil of the surgical staplingdevice of FIG. 65;

FIG. 78 is a partial top view of the surgical stapling device of FIG. 77with a portion of the anvil shown in cross-section;

FIG. 78A is a perspective view of another retainer embodiment attachedto another staple cartridge embodiment;

FIG. 78B is a perspective view of another staple cartridge embodiment;and

FIG. 78C is a top view of the staple cartridge embodiment of FIG. 78B.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications that were filed on even date herewith and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,273, entitled METHOD FORPROVIDING AN AUTHENTICATION LOCKOUT IN A SURGICAL STAPLER WITH AREPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2020-0261080;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,283, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A FIRINGLOCKOUT; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0261081;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,289, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A CLOSURELOCKOUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0261082;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,310, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINERS WITH FRANGIBLE RETENTION FEATURES AND METHODS OF USING SAME,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0261083;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,330, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINER WITH FRANGIBLE AUTHENTICATION KEY, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2020-0261084;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,335, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINER WITH RETRACTABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2020-0261078;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,343, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGERETAINER SYSTEM WITH AUTHENTICATION KEYS, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2020-0261085;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,355, entitled INSERTABLEDEACTIVATOR ELEMENT FOR SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2020-0261086;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,369, entitled DUEL DUAL CAMCARTRIDGE BASED FEATURE FOR UNLOCKING A SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUT, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0261076;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,391, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGESWITH CAM SURFACES CONFIGURED TO ENGAGE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PORTIONS OFA LOCKOUT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2020-0261077;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,413, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGES WITH MOVABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2020-0261087;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,423, entitled DEACTIVATORELEMENT FOR DEFEATING SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE LOCKOUTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2020-0261088; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/453,429, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGES WITH INTEGRAL AUTHENTICATION KEYS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2020-0261089

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. DesignPatent Applications that were filed on Jun. 25, 2019 which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/696,066, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH FIRING SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY;

U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/696,067, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY; and

U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/696,072, entitled SURGICALSTAPLE CARTRIDGE.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications that were filed on Feb. 21, 2019 which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,658, entitled METHODS FORCONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSUREAND FIRING SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,670, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A LOCKOUT KEY CONFIGURED TO LIFT A FIRING MEMBER;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,675, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERSWITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER THEREOF IN A LOCKEDCONFIGURATION UNLESS A COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,685, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,693, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMITARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,704, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OFAN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,707, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT,

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,741, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,762, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,660, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGE WITH FIRING MEMBER DRIVEN CAMMING ASSEMBLY THAT HAS AN ONBOARDTISSUE CUTTING FEATURE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,666, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,672, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,678, entitled ROTARY DRIVENFIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND FRAME ENGAGEMENT FEATURES; and

U.S. patent application e Ser. No. 16/281,682, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING DEVICE WITH SEPARATE ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMSAND FIRING MEMBER THAT ENGAGES BOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING.

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and useof the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, andelements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described in the specification. The reader will understandthat the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limitingexamples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein may be representative andillustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgicalsystem, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or“contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those oneor more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one ormore features.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician andthe term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician.It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity,spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may beused herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instrumentsare used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are notintended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, thereader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devicesdisclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures andapplications including, for example, in connection with open surgicalprocedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the readerwill further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed hereincan be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a naturalorifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. Theworking portions or end effector portions of the instruments can beinserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through anaccess device that has a working frame through which the end effectorand elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effectorextending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and asecond jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staplecartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is notremovable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. Thesecond jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected fromthe staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the firstjaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned inwhich the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. Thesurgical stapling system further comprises an articulation jointconfigured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated,relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about anarticulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Otherembodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge bodyincludes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between theproximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge ispositioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil ispositioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward thestaple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck.Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can bedeployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavitiesdefined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staplecavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows.Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of alongitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on asecond side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staplecavities and staples may be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. Thedrivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second,or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. Thedrivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extendsaround the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient membersconfigured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to thecartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positionsand their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between aproximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal positionadjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of rampedsurfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, andthe staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. Thefiring member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled towardthe distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body isconfigured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slotconfigured to receive the firing member. The firing member furthercomprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam whichengages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, thefirst cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap,between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firingmember also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue capturedintermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for theknife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the rampedsurfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.

FIG. 1 illustrates the surgical instrument 1010 that includes aninterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 operably coupled to a housing 1012.FIG. 2 illustrates the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 detached fromthe housing 1012 or handle 1014. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the handle1014 may comprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments1016 and 1018 that may be interconnected by screws, snap features,adhesive, etc. In the illustrated arrangement, the handle housingsegments 1016, 1018 cooperate to form a pistol grip portion 1019. FIGS.1 and 3 depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument1010 that may or may not be reused. In the illustrated embodiment, theinstrument 1010 includes a previous housing 1012 that comprises a handle1014 that is configured to be grasped, manipulated and actuated by theclinician. The housing 1012 is configured for operable attachment to aninterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that has a surgical end effector1300 operably coupled thereto that is configured to perform one or moresurgical tasks or procedures. As the present Detailed Descriptionproceeds, it will be understood that the various forms ofinterchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may also beeffectively employed in connection with robotically-controlled surgicalsystems. Thus, the term “housing” may also encompass a housing orsimilar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operablysupports at least one drive system that is configured to generate andapply at least one control motion which could be used to actuate theinterchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respectiveequivalents. In addition, various components may be “housed” orcontained in the housing or various components may be “associated with”a housing. In such instances, the components may not be contained withinthe housing or supported directly by the housing. The term “frame” mayrefer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. The term “frame”may also represent a portion of a robotically controlled surgicalinstrument and/or a portion of the robotic system that may be used tooperably control a surgical instrument. For example, the interchangeableshaft assemblies disclosed herein may be employed with various roboticsystems, instruments, components and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,072,535, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLEDEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, that is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

The previous housing 1012 depicted in FIG. 1 is shown in connection withan interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) that includesan end effector 1300 that comprises a surgical cutting and fasteningdevice that is configured to operably support a surgical staplecartridge 1350 therein. The housing 1012 may be configured for use inconnection with interchangeable shaft assemblies that include endeffectors that are adapted to support different sizes and types ofstaple cartridges, have different shaft lengths, sizes, and types, etc.In addition, the housing 1012 may also be effectively employed with avariety of other interchangeable shaft assemblies including thoseassemblies that are configured to apply other motions and forms ofenergy such as, for example, radio frequency (RF) energy, ultrasonicenergy and/or motion to end effector arrangements adapted for use inconnection with various surgical applications and procedures.Furthermore, the end effectors, shaft assemblies, handles, surgicalinstruments, and/or surgical instrument systems can utilize any suitablefastener, that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. As willbe discussed in further detail below, the handle 1014 operably supportsa plurality of drive systems therein that are configured to generate andapply various control motions to corresponding portions of theinterchangeable shaft assembly that is operably attached thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the handle 1014 may further include a frame1020 that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example,the frame 1020 can operably support a “first” or closure drive system,generally designated as 1030, which may be employed to apply closing andopening motions to the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that isoperably attached or coupled thereto. In at least one form, the closuredrive system 1030 may include an actuator in the form of a closuretrigger 1032 that is pivotally supported by the frame 1020. Morespecifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the closure trigger 1032 ispivotally coupled to the handle 1014 by a pin 1033. Such arrangementenables the closure trigger 1032 to be manipulated by a clinician suchthat when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle1014, the closure trigger 1032 may be easily pivoted from a starting or“unactuated” position to an “actuated” position and more particularly toa fully compressed or fully actuated position. The closure trigger 1032may be biased into the unactuated position by spring or other biasingarrangement (not shown). In various forms, the closure drive system 1030further includes a closure linkage assembly 1034 that is pivotallycoupled to the closure trigger 1032. As can be seen in FIG. 3, theclosure linkage assembly 1034 may include a first closure link 1036 anda second closure link 1038 that are pivotally coupled to the closuretrigger 1032 by a pin 1035. The second closure link 1038 may also bereferred to herein as an “attachment member” and include a transverseattachment pin 1037.

Still referring to FIG. 3, it can be observed that the first closurelink 1036 may have a locking wall or end 1039 thereon that is configuredto cooperate with a closure release assembly 1060 that is pivotallycoupled to the frame 1020. In at least one form, the closure releaseassembly 1060 may comprise a release button assembly 1062 that has adistally protruding locking pawl 1064 formed thereon. The release buttonassembly 1062 may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by arelease spring (not shown). As the clinician depresses the closuretrigger 1032 from its unactuated position towards the pistol gripportion 1019 of the handle 1014, the first closure link 1036 pivotsupward to a point wherein the locking pawl 1064 drops into retainingengagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closure link 1036thereby preventing the closure trigger 1032 from returning to theunactuated position. Thus, the closure release assembly 1060 serves tolock the closure trigger 1032 in the fully actuated position. When theclinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 1032 to permit it to bebiased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply pivots therelease button assembly 1062 such that the locking pawl 1064 is movedout of engagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closure link1036. When the locking pawl 1064 has been moved out of engagement withthe first closure link 1036, the closure trigger 1032 may pivot back tothe unactuated position. Other closure trigger locking and releasearrangements may also be employed.

An arm 1061 may extend from the release button assembly 1062. A magneticelement 1063, such as a permanent magnet, for example, may be mounted tothe arm 1061. When the release button assembly 1062 is rotated from itsfirst position to its second position, the magnetic element 1063 canmove toward a circuit board 1100. The circuit board 1100 can include atleast one sensor that is configured to detect the movement of themagnetic element 1063. In at least one embodiment, for example, a “HallEffect” sensor (not shown) can be mounted to the bottom surface of thecircuit board 1100. The Hall Effect sensor can be configured to detectchanges in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall Effect sensor caused bythe movement of the magnetic element 1063. The Hall Effect sensor can bein signal communication with a microcontroller, for example, which candetermine whether the release button assembly 1062 is in its firstposition, which is associated with the unactuated position of theclosure trigger 1032 and the open configuration of the end effector, itssecond position, which is associated with the actuated position of theclosure trigger 1032 and the closed configuration of the end effector,and/or any position between the first position and the second position.

In at least one form, the handle 1014 and the frame 1020 may operablysupport another drive system referred to herein as a firing drive system1080 that is configured to apply firing motions to correspondingportions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. Thefiring drive system 1080 may also be referred to herein as a “seconddrive system”. The firing drive system 1080 may employ an electric motor1082 that is located in the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle 1014.In various forms, the motor 1082 may be a DC brushed driving motorhaving a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. Inother arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordlessmotor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitableelectric motor. The motor 1082 may be powered by a power source 1090that in one form may comprise a removable power pack 1092. As can beseen in FIG. 3, for example, the power pack 1092 may comprise a proximalhousing portion 1094 that is configured for attachment to a distalhousing portion 1096. The proximal housing portion 1094 and the distalhousing portion 1096 are configured to operably support a plurality ofbatteries 1098 therein. Batteries 1098 may each comprise, for example, aLithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery. The distal housing portion1096 is configured for removable operable attachment to the circuitboard 1100 which is also operably coupled to the motor 1082. A number ofbatteries 1098 may be connected in series may be used as the powersource for the surgical instrument 1010. In addition, the power source1090 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electricmotor 1082 can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operablyinterfaces with a gear reducer assembly 1084 that is mounted in meshingengagement with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 1122 on alongitudinally-movable drive member 1120. In use, a voltage polarityprovided by the power source 1090 can operate the electric motor 1082 ina clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to theelectric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate theelectric motor 1082 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electricmotor 1082 is rotated in one direction, the drive member 1120 will beaxially driven in the distal direction “DD”. When the motor 82 is drivenin the opposite rotary direction, the drive member 1120 will be axiallydriven in a proximal direction “PD”. The handle 1014 can include aswitch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to theelectric motor 1082 by the power source 1090. As with the other formsdescribed herein, the handle 1014 can also include a sensor that isconfigured to detect the position of the drive member 1120 and/or thedirection in which the drive member 1120 is being moved.

Actuation of the motor 1082 can be controlled by a firing trigger 1130that is pivotally supported on the handle 1014. The firing trigger 1130may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position.The firing trigger 1130 may be biased into the unactuated position by aspring 1132 or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinicianreleases the firing trigger 1130, it may be pivoted or otherwisereturned to the unactuated position by the spring 1132 or biasingarrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger 1130 can bepositioned “outboard” of the closure trigger 1032 as was discussedabove. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button 1134 may bepivotally mounted to the closure trigger 1032 by the pin 1035. Thesafety button 1134 may be positioned between the firing trigger 1130 andthe closure trigger 1032 and have a pivot arm 1136 protruding therefrom.See FIG. 3. When the closure trigger 1032 is in the unactuated position,the safety button 1134 is contained in the handle 1014 where theclinician cannot readily access it and move it between a safety positionpreventing actuation of the firing trigger 1130 and a firing positionwherein the firing trigger 1130 may be fired. As the clinician depressesthe closure trigger 1032, the safety button 1134 and the firing trigger1130 pivot down wherein they can then be manipulated by the clinician.

As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movabledrive member 1120 has a rack of teeth 1122 formed thereon for meshingengagement with a corresponding drive gear 1086 of the gear reducerassembly 1084. At least one form also includes a manually-actuatable“bailout” assembly 1140 that is configured to enable the clinician tomanually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 should themotor 1082 become disabled. The bailout assembly 1140 may include alever or bailout handle assembly 1142 that is configured to be manuallypivoted into ratcheting engagement with the rack of teeth 1122 alsoprovided in the drive member 1120. Thus, the clinician can manuallyretract the drive member 1120 by using the bailout handle assembly 1142to ratchet the drive member 1120 in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S.Pat. No. 8,608,045, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLINGAPPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, discloses bailoutarrangements and other components, arrangements and systems that mayalso be employed with the various instruments disclosed herein. U.S.Pat. No. 8,608,045, is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200includes a surgical end effector 1300 that comprises an elongate frame1310 that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge 1350therein. The end effector 1300 may further include an anvil 2000 that ispivotally supported relative to the elongate frame 1310. Theinterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include an articulationjoint 3020 and an articulation lock 2140 which can be configured toreleasably hold the end effector 1300 in a desired position relative toa shaft axis SA. Examples of various features of at least one form ofthe end effector 1300, the articulation joint 3020 and articulationlocks may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, filedMar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING ANARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0263541. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0263541, is hereby incorporated by referenceherein. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the interchangeable shaft assembly1200 can further include a proximal housing or nozzle 1201 comprised ofnozzle portions 1202 and 1203.

The interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can further include a closuresystem or closure member assembly 3000 which can be utilized to closeand/or open the anvil 2000 of the end effector 1300. The shaft assembly1200 can include a spine 1210 that is configured to, one, slidablysupport a firing member therein and, two, slidably support the closuremember assembly 3000 which extends around the spine 1210. As can be seenin FIG. 5, a distal end 1212 of spine 1210 terminates in an upper lugmount feature 1270 and in a lower lug mount feature 1280. The upper lugmount feature 1270 is formed with a lug slot 1272 therein that isadapted to mountingly support an upper mounting link 1274 therein.Similarly, the lower lug mount feature 1280 is formed with a lug slot1282 therein that is adapted to mountingly support a lower mounting link1284 therein. The upper mounting link 1274 includes a pivot socket 1276therein that is adapted to rotatably receive therein a pivot pin 1292that is formed on a frame cap or anvil retainer 1290 that is attached toa proximal end portion 1312 of the elongate frame 1310. The lowermounting link 1284 includes lower pivot pin 1286 that adapted to bereceived within a pivot hole 1314 formed in the proximal end portion1312 of the elongate frame 1310. See FIG. 5. The lower pivot pin 1286 isvertically aligned with the pivot socket 1276 to define an articulationaxis AA about which the surgical end effector 1300 may articulaterelative to the shaft axis SA. See FIG. 2.

In the illustrated example, the surgical end effector 1300 isselectively articulatable about the articulation axis AA by anarticulation system 2100. In one form, the articulation system 2100includes proximal articulation driver 2102 that is pivotally coupled toan articulation link 2120. As can be most particularly seen in FIG. 5,an offset attachment lug 2114 is formed on a distal end 2110 of theproximal articulation driver 2102. A pivot hole 2116 is formed in theoffset attachment lug 2114 and is configured to pivotally receivetherein a proximal link pin 2124 formed on the proximal end 2122 of thearticulation link 2120. A distal end 2126 of the articulation link 2120includes a pivot hole 2128 that is configured to pivotally receivetherein a frame pin 1317 formed on the proximal end portion 1312 of theelongate frame 1310. Thus, axial movement of proximal articulationdriver 2102 will thereby apply articulation motions to the elongateframe 1310 to thereby cause the surgical end effector 1300 to articulateabout the articulation axis AA relative to the spine 1210. Furtherdetails concerning the construction and operation of the articulationsystem 2100 may be found in various references incorporated by referenceherein including U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, filed Jun.28, 2017, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSUREMEMBER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0000464, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.In various circumstances, the proximal articulation driver 2102 can beheld in position by an articulation lock 2140 when the proximalarticulation driver 2102 is not being moved in the proximal or distaldirections. Additional details regarding an example of an articulationlock 2140 may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0000464, as well as inother references incorporated by reference herein.

In various circumstances, the spine 1210 can comprise a proximal end1211 which is rotatably supported in a chassis 1240. In one arrangement,for example, the proximal end 1211 of the spine 1210 has a thread 1214formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing 1216configured to be supported within the chassis 1240. See FIG. 4. Such anarrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the spine 1210 to thechassis 1240 such that the spine 1210 may be selectively rotated about ashaft axis SA relative to the chassis 1240.

Referring primarily to FIG. 4, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200includes a closure shuttle 1250 that is slidably supported within thechassis 1240 such that it may be axially moved relative thereto. Theclosure shuttle 1250 includes a pair of proximally-protruding hooks 1252that are configured for attachment to the attachment pin 1037 (FIG. 3)that is attached to the second closure link 1038 as will be discussed infurther detail below. In at least one example, the closure memberassembly 3000 comprises a proximal closure member segment 3010 that hasa proximal end 3012 that is coupled to the closure shuttle 1250 forrelative rotation thereto. For example, a U shaped connector 1263 isinserted into an annular slot 3014 in the proximal end 3012 of theproximal closure member segment 3010 and is retained within verticalslots 1253 in the closure shuttle 1250. Such an arrangement serves toattach the proximal closure member segment 3010 to the closure shuttle1250 for axial travel therewith while enabling the proximal closuremember segment 3010 to rotate relative to the closure shuttle 1250 aboutthe shaft axis SA. A closure spring 1268 is journaled on the proximalclosure member segment 3010 and serves to bias the proximal closuremember segment 3010 in the proximal direction “PD” which can serve topivot the closure trigger 1032 into the unactuated position when theshaft assembly is operably coupled to the handle 1014.

In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 mayfurther include an articulation joint 3020. Other interchangeable shaftassemblies, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seenin FIG. 5, for example, a distal closure member or distal closure tubesegment 3030 is coupled to the distal end of the proximal closure membersegment 3010. The articulation joint 3020 includes a double pivotclosure sleeve assembly 3022. According to various forms, the doublepivot closure sleeve assembly 3022 includes an end effector closure tube3050 having upper and lower proximally projecting tangs 3052, 3054. Anupper double pivot link 3056 includes upwardly projecting distal andproximal pivot pins that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole inthe upper proximally projecting tang 3052 and an upper proximal pin hole3032 in an upper distally projecting tang 3031 on the distal closuretube segment 3030. A lower double pivot link 3058 includes upwardlyprojecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively alower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projecting tang 3054 and alower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projecting tang 3034. SeeFIGS. 4 and 5. As will be discussed in further detail below, the closuremember assembly 3000 is translated distally (direction “DD”) to closethe anvil 2000, for example, in response to the actuation of the closuretrigger 1032. The anvil 2000 is opened by proximally translating theclosure member assembly 3000 which causes the end effector closure tube3050 to interact with the anvil 2000 and pivot it to an open position.

As was also indicated above, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200further includes a firing member 1900 that is supported for axial travelwithin the spine 1210. The firing member 1900 includes an intermediatefiring shaft portion 1222 that is configured for attachment to a distalcutting portion or knife bar 1910. The intermediate firing shaft portion1222 may include a longitudinal slot 1223 in the distal end thereofwhich can be configured to receive a tab 1912 on the proximal end of thedistal knife bar 1910. The longitudinal slot 1223 and the proximal endtab 1912 can be sized and configured to permit relative movementtherebetween and can comprise a slip joint 1914. The slip joint 1914 canpermit the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the firing member1900 to be moved to articulate the end effector 1300 without moving, orat least substantially moving, the knife bar 1910. Once the end effector1300 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion1222 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of thelongitudinal slot 1223 comes into contact with the tab 1912 in order toadvance the knife bar 1910 and fire the staple cartridge 1350 positionedwithin the frame 1310. The knife bar 1910 includes a knife portion 1920that includes a blade or tissue cutting edge 1922 and includes an upperanvil engagement tab 1924 and lower frame engagement tabs 1926. Variousfiring member configurations and operations are disclosed in variousother references incorporated herein by reference.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the shaft assembly 1200 further includes aswitch drum 1500 that is rotatably received on proximal closure membersegment 3010. The switch drum 1500 comprises a hollow shaft segment 1502that has a shaft boss formed thereon for receive an outwardly protrudingactuation pin therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pinextends through a longitudinal slot provided in the lock sleeve tofacilitate axial movement of the lock sleeve when it is engaged with thearticulation driver. A rotary torsion spring 1420 is configured toengage the boss on the switch drum 1500 and a portion of the nozzle 1201to apply a biasing force to the switch drum 1500. The switch drum 1500can further comprise at least partially circumferential openings 1506defined therein which can be configured to receive circumferentialmounts extending from the nozzle portions 1202, 1203 and permit relativerotation, but not translation, between the switch drum 1500 and thenozzle 1201. The mounts also extend through openings 3011 in theproximal closure member segment 3010 to be seated in recesses 1219 inthe spine 1210. Rotation of the switch drum 1500 about the shaft axis SAwill ultimately result in the rotation of the actuation pin and the locksleeve between its engaged and disengaged positions. In one arrangement,the rotation of the switch drum 1500 may be linked to the axialadvancement of the closure tube or closure member. Thus, in essence,actuation of the closure system may operably engage and disengage thearticulation drive system with the firing drive system in the variousmanners described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541,entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATIONLOCK and U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,642, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTCOMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of each being herebyincorporated by reference herein. For example, when the closure membersegment 3010 is in its proximal-most position corresponding to a “jawsopen” position, the closure member segment 3010 will have positioned theswitch drum 1500 so as to link the articulation system with the firingdrive system. When, the closure tube has been moved to its distalposition corresponding to a “jaws closed” position, the closure tube hasrotated the switch drum 1500 to a position wherein the articulationsystem is delinked from the firing drive system.

As also illustrated in FIG. 4, the shaft assembly 1200 can comprise aslip ring assembly 1600 which can be configured to conduct electricalpower to and/or from the end effector 1300 and/or communicate signals toand/or from the end effector 1300, for example. The slip ring assembly1600 can comprise a proximal connector flange 1604 that is mounted to achassis flange 1242 that extends from the chassis 1240 and a distalconnector flange that is positioned within a slot defined in the shafthousings. The proximal connector flange 1604 can comprise a first faceand the distal connector flange can comprise a second face which ispositioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first face. Thedistal connector flange can rotate relative to the proximal connectorflange 1604 about the shaft axis SA. The proximal connector flange 1604can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at least substantiallyconcentric, conductors defined in the first face thereof. A connectorcan be mounted on the proximal side of the connector flange and may havea plurality of contacts wherein each contact corresponds to and is inelectrical contact with one of the conductors. Such an arrangementpermits relative rotation between the proximal connector flange 1604 andthe distal connector flange while maintaining electrical contacttherebetween. The proximal connector flange 1604 can include anelectrical connector 1606 which can place the conductors in signalcommunication with a shaft circuit board 1610 mounted to the shaftchassis 1240, for example. In at least one instance, a wiring harnesscomprising a plurality of conductors can extend between the electricalconnector 1606 and the shaft circuit board 1610. The electricalconnector 1606 may extend proximally through a connector opening 1243defined in the chassis flange 1242. See FIG. 4. Further detailsregarding slip ring assembly 1600 may be found in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2014/0263541, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM,filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0263552, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, for example. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0263541, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, now U.S.patent application Publication No. 2014/0263552, and U.S. Pat. No.9,345,481 are each hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirrespective entireties.

As discussed above, the shaft assembly 1200 can include a proximalportion which is fixably mounted to the handle 1014 and a distal portionwhich is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaftportion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slipring assembly 1600, as discussed above. The distal connector flange ofthe slip ring assembly 1600 can be positioned within the rotatabledistal shaft portion. Moreover, further to the above, the switch drum1500 can also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion.When the rotatable distal shaft portion is rotated, the distal connectorflange and the switch drum 1500 can be rotated synchronously with oneanother. In addition, the switch drum 1500 can be rotated between afirst position and a second position relative to the distal connectorflange. When the switch drum 1500 is in its first position, thearticulation drive system may be operably disengaged from the firingdrive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may notarticulate the end effector 1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When theswitch drum 1500 is in its second position, the articulation drivesystem may be operably engaged with the firing drive system and, thus,the operation of the firing drive system may articulate the end effector1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When the switch drum 1500 is movedbetween its first position and its second position, the switch drum 1500is moved relative to distal connector flange. In various instances, theshaft assembly 1200 can comprise at least one sensor configured todetect the position of the switch drum 1500.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the chassis 1240 includes at least one, andpreferably two, tapered attachment portions 1244 formed thereon that areadapted to be received within corresponding dovetail slots 1702 formedwithin a distal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020. SeeFIG. 3. Each dovetail slot 1702 may be tapered or, stated another way,be somewhat V-shaped to seatingly receive the attachment portions 1244therein. As can be further seen in FIG. 4, a shaft attachment lug 1226is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft portion1222. As will be discussed in further detail below, when theinterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 is coupled to the handle 1014, theshaft attachment lug 1226 is received in a firing shaft attachmentcradle 1126 formed in a distal end 1125 of the longitudinal drive member1120. See FIG. 3.

Various shaft assembly embodiments employ a latch system 1710 forremovably coupling the shaft assembly 1200 to the housing 1012 and morespecifically to the frame 1020. As can be seen in FIG. 4, for example,in at least one form, the latch system 1710 includes a lock member orlock yoke 1712 that is movably coupled to the chassis 1240. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, the lock yoke 1712 has a U-shapewith two spaced downwardly extending legs 1714. The legs 1714 each havea pivot lug 1715 formed thereon that are adapted to be received incorresponding holes 1245 formed in the chassis 1240. Such arrangementfacilitates pivotal attachment of the lock yoke 1712 to the chassis1240. The lock yoke 1712 may include two proximally protruding lock lugs1716 that are configured for releasable engagement with correspondinglock detents or grooves 1704 in the distal attachment flange portion1700 of the frame 1020. See FIG. 3. In various forms, the lock yoke 1712is biased in the proximal direction by spring or biasing member (notshown). Actuation of the lock yoke 1712 may be accomplished by a latchbutton 1722 that is slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly 1720that is mounted to the chassis 1240. The latch button 1722 may be biasedin a proximal direction relative to the lock yoke 1712. As will bediscussed in further detail below, the lock yoke 1712 may be moved to anunlocked position by biasing the latch button in the distal directionwhich also causes the lock yoke 1712 to pivot out of retainingengagement with the distal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame1020. When the lock yoke 1712 is in “retaining engagement” with thedistal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020, the lock lugs1716 are retainingly seated within the corresponding lock detents orgrooves 1704 in the distal attachment flange portion 1700.

When employing an interchangeable shaft assembly that includes an endeffector of the type described herein that is adapted to cut and fastentissue, as well as other types of end effectors, it may be desirable toprevent inadvertent detachment of the interchangeable shaft assemblyfrom the housing during actuation of the end effector. For example, inuse the clinician may actuate the closure trigger 1032 to grasp andmanipulate the target tissue into a desired position. Once the targettissue is positioned within the end effector 1300 in a desiredorientation, the clinician may then fully actuate the closure trigger1032 to close the anvil 2000 and clamp the target tissue in position forcutting and stapling. In that instance, the first drive system 1030 hasbeen fully actuated. After the target tissue has been clamped in the endeffector 1300, it may be desirable to prevent the inadvertent detachmentof the shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012. One form of the latchsystem 1710 is configured to prevent such inadvertent detachment.

As can be most particularly seen in FIG. 4, the lock yoke 1712 includesat least one and preferably two lock hooks 1718 that are adapted tocontact corresponding lock lug portions 1256 that are formed on theclosure shuttle 1250. When the closure shuttle 1250 is in an unactuatedposition (i.e., the first drive system 1030 is unactuated and the anvil2000 is open), the lock yoke 1712 may be pivoted in a distal directionto unlock the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012.When in that position, the lock hooks 1718 do not contact the lock lugportions 1256 on the closure shuttle 1250. However, when the closureshuttle 1250 is moved to an actuated position (i.e., the first drivesystem 1030 is actuated and the anvil 2000 is in the closed position),the lock yoke 1712 is prevented from being pivoted to an unlockedposition. Stated another way, if the clinician were to attempt to pivotthe lock yoke 1712 to an unlocked position or, for example, the lockyoke 1712 was inadvertently bumped or contacted in a manner that mightotherwise cause it to pivot distally, the lock hooks 1718 on the lockyoke 1712 will contact the lock lug portions 1256 on the closure shuttle1250 and prevent movement of the lock yoke 1712 to an unlocked position.

Attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014will now be described. To commence the coupling process, the clinicianmay position the chassis 1240 of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200above or adjacent to the distal attachment flange portion 1700 of theframe 1020 such that the tapered attachment portions 1244 formed on thechassis 1240 are aligned with the dovetail slots 1702 in the frame 1020.The clinician may then move the shaft assembly 1200 along aninstallation axis that is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA to seat theattachment portions 1244 in “operable engagement” with the correspondingdovetail receiving slots 1702. In doing so, the shaft attachment lug1226 on the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 will also be seatedin the cradle 1126 in the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 andthe portions of the pin 1037 on the second closure link 1038 will beseated in the corresponding hooks 1252 in the closure shuttle 1250. Asused herein, the term “operable engagement” in the context of twocomponents means that the two components are sufficiently engaged witheach other so that upon application of an actuation motion thereto, thecomponents may carry out their intended action, function and/orprocedure.

At least five systems of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can beoperably coupled with at least five corresponding systems of the handle1014. A first system can comprise a frame system which couples and/oraligns the frame or spine of the shaft assembly 1200 with the frame 1020of the handle 1014. Another system can comprise a closure drive system1030 which can operably connect the closure trigger 1032 of the handle1014 and the closure tube 3050 and the anvil 2000 of the shaft assembly1200. As outlined above, the closure shuttle 1250 of the shaft assembly1200 can be engaged with the pin 1037 on the second closure link 1038.Another system can comprise the firing drive system 1080 which canoperably connect the firing trigger 1130 of the handle 1014 with theintermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the shaft assembly 1200. Asoutlined above, the shaft attachment lug 1226 can be operably connectedwith the cradle 1126 of the longitudinal drive member 1120. Anothersystem can comprise an electrical system which can signal to acontroller in the handle 1014, such as microcontroller, for example,that a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, hasbeen operably engaged with the handle 1014 and/or, two, conduct powerand/or communication signals between the shaft assembly 1200 and thehandle 1014. For instance, the shaft assembly 1200 can include anelectrical connector 1810 that is operably mounted to the shaft circuitboard 1610. The electrical connector 1810 is configured for matingengagement with a corresponding electrical connector 1800 on the controlcircuit board 1100. Further details regaining the circuitry and controlsystems may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/226,142, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,913,642, the entiredisclosures of each which were previously incorporated by referenceherein. The fifth system may consist of the latching system forreleasably locking the shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014.

The anvil 2000 in the illustrated example includes an anvil body 2002that terminates in an anvil mounting portion 2010. The anvil mountingportion 2010 is movably or pivotably supported on the elongate frame1310 for selective pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed anvilpivot axis PA that is transverse to the shaft axis SA. In theillustrated arrangement, a pivot member or anvil trunnion 2012 extendslaterally out of each lateral side of the anvil mounting portion 2010 tobe received in a corresponding trunnion cradle 1316 formed in theupstanding walls 1315 of the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongateframe 1310. The anvil trunnions 2012 are pivotally retained in theircorresponding trunnion cradle 1316 by the frame cap or anvil retainer1290. The frame cap or anvil retainer 1290 includes a pair of attachmentlugs that are configured to be retainingly received within correspondinglug grooves or notches formed in the upstanding walls 1315 of theproximal end portion 1312 of the elongate frame 1310. See FIG. 5.

Still referring to FIG. 5, in at least one arrangement, the distalclosure member or end effector closure tube 3050 employs two axiallyoffset, proximal and distal positive jaw opening features 3060 and 3062.The positive jaw opening features 3060, 3062 are configured to interactwith corresponding relieved areas and stepped portions formed on theanvil mounting portion 2010 as described in further detail in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/635,631, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER, now U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2019/0000464, the entire disclosure which has beenherein incorporated by reference. Other jaw opening arrangements may beemployed.

The disclosures of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232200,entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT,filed on May 20, 2003, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0232199, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRINGLOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0232197, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING ANE-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, filed on May 20, 2003, U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0232196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTHAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, filed on May 20,2003, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0232195, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FORPREVENTION OF FIRING, filed on May 20, 3003, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2018/0085123, entitled ARTICULATING SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A TWO-PIECE E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, filed onAug. 17, 2017 are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example of a surgical stapling assembly 4000 isshown. The surgical stapling assembly 4000 may be employed in connectionwith the surgical instrument 1010 described above or in connection witha variety of other surgical instruments described in various disclosuresthat have been incorporated by reference herein. The surgical staplingassembly 4000 may be employed in connection with electricallycontrolled, battery powered, manually powered, and/orrobotically-controlled surgical instruments in the various formsdisclosed in the aforementioned incorporated disclosures, for example.As can be seen in FIG. 6, the surgical stapling assembly 4000 comprisesa surgical stapling device generally designated as 4002 that comprises afirst jaw, or frame 4010 that is configured to operably support a staplecartridge 4200 therein. The first jaw 4010 may be attached to a spine ofthe shaft assembly of a surgical instrument or robot in the variousmanners described herein as well as in the various disclosures whichhave been herein incorporated by reference. In the illustrated example,the first jaw 4010 is attached to the spine portion of the shaftassembly (not shown in FIG. 6), by a shaft mount flange 4030 that ispinned by a pin 4032 or otherwise attached to a proximal end 4014 of thefirst jaw 4010. In particular, pin 4032 is configured to pass throughaligned holes 4021 in upstanding sidewalls 4020 of the first jaw 4010 aswell as through hole 4031 in the shaft mount flange 4030. The shaftmount flange 4030 is configured to interface with an articulation jointarrangement (not shown) that is configured to facilitate articulation ofthe first jaw 4010 relative to the shaft assembly in various knownconfigurations. Other methods of attaching and operably interfacing thesurgical device 4002 with a shaft of a surgical instrument may also beemployed. For example, the stapling device 4002 may be attached to theshaft assembly such that the stapling device (sometimes also referred toas an “end effector”) is not capable of articulating relative to theshaft assembly.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the surgical stapling device 4002 furthercomprises a firing member assembly 4040 that comprises a knife bar 4042that is attached to a knife member or “firing member” 4050. The knifebar 4042 also interfaces with corresponding components and firingsystems in the surgical instrument to receive firing motions which candistally advance the knife bar 4042 and firing member 4050 through astaple firing stroke from a starting position to an ending position andalso retract the knife bar 4042 and firing member 4050 proximally to astarting position. In the illustrated arrangement, the firing member4050 comprises a firing member body 4052 that supports a cutting edge orknife edge 4053. The firing member 4050 further comprises a foot 4054that is formed on the bottom of the firing member body 4052 and extendslaterally from each side of the firing member body 4052. The firingmember 4050 further comprises a pair of top pins or tabs 4056 thatextend laterally from the firing member body 4052 that are adapted toengage ledges on an anvil as will be discussed further herein.Additionally, the firing member 4050 comprises a pair of central pins ortabs 4058 that protrude laterally from each side of the firing memberbody 4052. In some of the disclosures incorporated by reference herein,the firing member 4050 may also be referred to as an “E-Beam” firingmember or cutting member.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 4002 comprises asecond jaw or anvil 4100 that is movable relative to the first jaw orframe 4010. The anvil 4100 comprises an anvil body 4102 and an anvilmounting portion 4110. The anvil body 4102 comprises a staple formingundersurface or tissue contacting surface 4104 that has a series ofstaple forming pockets formed therein (not shown) that are arranged toform corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contacttherewith. The anvil mounting portion 4110 comprises a pair of laterallyextending anvil pins or trunnion pins 4112 that are configured to bereceived in corresponding trunnion slots 4022 in the upstandingsidewalls 4020 of the first jaw 4010. In the illustrated arrangement,the trunnion slots 4022 are somewhat “kidney-shaped” and facilitatepivotal as well as axial travel of the corresponding trunnion pins 4112therein. Such pivotal and axial movement of the anvil 4100 may bereferred to as “translation” of the anvil during an anvil closuresequence.

As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which havebeen incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 4100 may be movablefrom an open position wherein a used or spent surgical staple cartridgemay either be removed from the first jaw or frame 4010 or an unfiredsurgical staple cartridge may be operably seated therein to a closedposition. The anvil 4100 may be movable between the open and closedpositions by an axially movable closure member which may comprise an endeffector closure tube (not shown) that is part of the shaft assembly ofthe surgical instrument to which the surgical device 4002 is operablyattached. For example, as the closure member is moved distally from aproximal position by actuating a closure control system in the surgicalinstrument, the closure member may operably engage a cam surface on theanvil mounting portion 4110. Such interaction between the closure memberand the anvil mounting portion 4110 causes the anvil mounting portion4110 and the anvil trunnion pins 4112 to pivot and translate up thetrunnion slots 4022 until the closure member moves the anvil 4100 to afully closed position. When in the fully closed position, thestaple-forming pockets in the anvil 4100 are properly aligned with thestaples in a corresponding compatible surgical staple cartridge that hasbeen operably seated in the first jaw or frame 4010. When the axiallymovable closure member is thereafter moved in a proximal direction, theclosure member interfaces with an upstanding tab 4114 on the anvilmounting portion 4110 to return the anvil 4100 to the open position.

One form of surgical staple cartridge 4200 that may be compatible withthe surgical stapling device 4002 comprises a cartridge body 4202 thatdefines a cartridge deck surface or tissue contacting surface 4204. Thecartridge body 4202 further comprises a longitudinal slot 4206 thatbisects the cartridge deck surface 4204 and is configured to accommodateaxial passage of the firing member 4050 therein between its startingposition and an ending position within the cartridge body 4202 during astaple firing stroke. The longitudinal slot 4206 lies along a centeraxis CA of the cartridge 4200. The surgical staple cartridge 4200further comprises a series of staple pockets 4208 that are formed in thecartridge body 4202. The staple pockets 4208 may be formed in offset“lines” located on each side of the longitudinal slot 4206. Each staplepocket 4208 may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewiththat supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In atleast one example, the cartridge body 4202 is molded from a polymermaterial with the staple pockets 4208 molded or machined therein. In onearrangement, the staple pockets 4208 also open through a bottom of thecartridge body 4202 to facilitate installation of the drivers andfasteners into their respective staple pockets 4208. Once the driversand fasteners are inserted into their respective staple pockets 4208, acartridge pan 4220 is attached to the cartridge body 4202. In one form,the cartridge pan 4220 is fabricated from a metal material and includesa bottom 4222 that spans across the bottom of the cartridge body 4202.The cartridge pan 4220 also includes two upstanding sidewalls 4224 thatcorrespond to each side of the cartridge body 4202. The cartridge pan4220 may be removably affixed to the cartridge body 4202 by hooks 4226that are formed on the sidewalls 4224 and configured to hookingly engagecorresponding portions of the cartridge body 4202. In addition, thecartridge body 4202 may also have lugs or attachment formationsprotruding therefrom that are configured to retainingly engagecorresponding portions of the cartridge pan 4220. When installed, thecartridge pan 4220 may, among other things, prevent the drivers andfasteners from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 4202during handling and installation of the staple cartridge into the firstjaw or frame 4010.

Some of the staple drivers operably support a single surgical staplethereon and other staple drivers support more than one surgical staplethereon depending upon the particular cartridge design. Each surgicalstaple comprises a staple crown and two upstanding staple legs. Thestaple crown is typically supported on a cradle arrangement formed in acorresponding staple driver such that the legs are vertically orientedtoward the anvil when the cartridge is operably seated in the frame4010. In some arrangements, surgical staples have a somewhat V-shape,wherein the ends of the legs flare slightly outward. Such arrangementmay serve to retain the staple in its corresponding staple pocket due tofrictional engagement between the legs and the sides of the staplepocket should the cartridge be inadvertently inverted or turned upsidedown during use. Other surgical staples are roughly U-shaped (the endsof the legs do not flare outward) and may be more susceptible to fallingout of the staple pocket should the cartridge be inverted prior to use.

The surgical staple cartridge 4200 further comprises a sled or cammingmember 4230 that is configured to be axially advanced through thecartridge body 4202 during a staple firing stroke. In a “new”, “fresh”or “unfired” surgical staple cartridge, the sled 4230 is in itsproximal-most, “unfired” position. The sled 4230 comprises a pluralityof wedges or cam members 4232 that are configured to drivingly engagethe corresponding lines of staple drivers in the cartridge body. Duringthe staple firing stroke, the firing member 4050 abuts and pushes thesled 4230 distally into camming contact with the staple drivers therebysequentially driving the staple drivers upward toward the anvil 4100 asthe sled 4230 is driven from its unfired position to its distal-mostfully fired position within the cartridge body 4202. As the stapledrivers are driven upwardly, the staples are driven through the tissuethat is clamped between the deck surface 4204 of the staple cartridge4200 and the anvil 4100 and into forming contact with the staple-formingundersurface 4104 of the anvil 4100. The tissue-cutting knife 4053 onthe firing member 4050 cuts through the stapled tissue as the firingmember 4050 is driven distally. After the staple firing stroke has beencompleted, and/or after a sufficient length of the staple firing strokehas been completed, the firing member 4050 is retracted proximally.However, the sled 4230 is not retracted proximally with the firingmember 4050. Instead, the sled 4230 is left behind at the distal-mostposition in which it was pushed by the firing member 4050.

After a staple cartridge has been fired, or at least partially fired, itis removed from the frame and then replaced with another replaceablestaple cartridge, if desired. At such point, the stapling device can bere-used to continue stapling and incising the patient tissue. In someinstances, however, a previously-fired staple cartridge can beaccidentally loaded into the frame. If the firing member were to beadvanced distally within such a previously-fired staple cartridge, thestapling instrument would cut the patient tissue without stapling it.The stapling instrument would similarly cut the patient tissue withoutstapling it if the firing member were advanced distally through a staplefiring stroke without a staple cartridge positioned in the cartridge jawat all. In addition, various surgical staple cartridges may havedifferent arrays of and/or orientations of staples/fasteners therein.The sizes of the staples or fasteners, as well as the number offasteners may vary from cartridge type to cartridge type depending upona particular surgical procedure or application. To ensure that thestaples are properly crimped or formed, the surgical staple cartridgesmust be used in connection with corresponding, compatible anvils thathave the proper array of staple-forming pockets therein as well as theproper cutting and firing components. Should a “non-compatible”cartridge be loaded into a surgical stapling device that has an anvilthat is mismatched to the staple cartridge, the staples may not beproperly formed during the firing process which could lead tocatastrophic results. To this end, the surgical stapling assembly 4000comprises one or more lockouts which prevents this from happening, asdiscussed in greater detail below.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 4002 comprises afirst lockout 4300 that is configured to prevent the firing member 4050from moving distally from its proximal-most, starting position unless anauthorized or compatible staple cartridge is operably seated in thefirst jaw or frame 4010. The first lockout 4300 may also be referred toherein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement,the first lockout 4300 comprises a single, bi-lateral first lockoutspring 4310 that is supported in the proximal end 4014 of the frame 4010and attached to the shaft mount flange 4030. In one arrangement forexample, the first lockout spring 4310 comprises a first lockout arm4312 that is located on one side of the cartridge axis CA and a secondlockout arm 4314 that is located on an opposite side of the cartridgeaxis CA. The first and second lockout arms 4312, 4314 are attached to acentral body portion 4316. See FIG. 7. The spring 4310 is supported inthe first jaw or frame 4010 and affixed to the shaft mount flange 4030by a pin 4034 that extends through holes 4036 in the shaft mount flange4030 and through holes 4318 in the first lockout arm 4312 and the secondlockout arm 4314. The first lockout arm 4312 and the second lockout arm4314 each further comprise a lockout window or opening 4320. The lockoutwindows 4320 are each adapted to receive therein a corresponding centralpin 4058 protruding from the adjacent first or second lateral side ofthe firing member 4050 when the firing member 4050 is in itsproximal-most or starting position. See FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the first lockout 4300 in the locked positionwherein the central pins 4058 are received within the lockout windows4320 in the first and second lockout arms 4312, 4314. In somearrangements, those staple cartridges that are compatible with thesurgical stapling device 4002 or, stated another way, those staplecartridges that have the proper number, size, and arrangement ofstaples, may have one or more unlocking or “authorization” keys directlyformed on the cartridge body and/or on the cartridge pan that areconfigured to defeat the first lockout when the compatible staplecartridge is operably seated in the first jaw or frame. Various staplecartridges that have unlocking keys protruding therefrom are disclosedbelow as well as in various disclosures which have been hereinincorporated by reference. In certain instances, however, the clinicianmay wish to use staple cartridges that are compatible with the surgicalstapling device, but otherwise lack the unlocking keys. In suchinstances, the clinician would be unable to otherwise use thosecompatible staple cartridges in the surgical stapling device. Thesurgical stapling device 4002 includes features designed to facilitateuse of such compatible staple cartridges that otherwise lack unlockingkey features.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 10, the stapling assembly 4000 furthercomprises a retainer 4400 that is configured to be removably coupled tothe staple cartridge 4200 which is otherwise compatible with thesurgical stapling device 4002. In the illustrated arrangement, theretainer 4400 comprises a top portion 4402 that is coextensive with, andconfigured to be received on, the deck surface 4204 of the cartridgebody 4202. Thus, in at least one configuration, when the retainer 4400is attached to the cartridge body 4202, the retainer 4400 covers all ofthe staple pockets 4208 in the cartridge body 4202. As such, when theretainer 4400 is attached to the staple cartridge 4200, the retainer4400 may prevent the surgical staples stored within the staple pockets4208 from falling out should the staple cartridge 4200 be inverted orturned upside down prior to use. The retainer 4400 also protects thedeck surface from being contaminated during shipping and storage.

In one arrangement, the retainer 4400 may be molded from a polymermaterial and include a plurality of retainer lugs 4410 that areconfigured to latchingly engage outwardly extending deck ledge portions4205 that are formed on the cartridge body 4202. The retainer 4400 mayfurther comprise an angled nose portion 4420 and distal latch tab 4422that that is configured to latching engage a distal nose 4203 of thecartridge body 4202. The retainer 4400 may be removably coupled to thesurgical staple cartridge 4200 by engaging the distal latch tab 4422with an end of the distal nose 4203 and aligning the retainer 4400 suchthat the underside of the top portion 4402 confronts the cartridge decksurface 4204 and the retainer lugs 4410 are located above the deck ledgeportions 4205 on each side of the cartridge body 4202. Thereafter, theretainer 4400 may be pressed toward the staple cartridge 4200 causingthe retainer lugs 4410 to flex laterally outward and snap into latchingengagement with the corresponding deck ledge portions 4205. Otherretainer latching arrangements disclosed herein may also be employed toremovably affix the retainer 4400 to the staple cartridge 4200. Theretainer 4400 may be removed from the staple cartridge 4200 by applyinga prying motion to the distal latch tab 4422 until the retainer lugs4410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205. In the illustrated example,the term “LIFT” is molded, embossed, imprinted or otherwise provided onthe nose portion 4420 to provide removal instructions to the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-13, the retainer 4400 further comprises anauthentication key 4430 that is configured to defeat, deactivate orunlatch the first lockout 4300 when the retainer 4400 is attached to thestaple cartridge 4200 to form a cartridge assembly 4500 and thecartridge assembly 4500 has been operably seated in the first jaw orframe 4010. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the authentication key 4430protrudes proximally from a proximal end 4401 of the top portion 4402 ofthe retainer 4400 and comprises a right ramp feature 4440 and a leftramp feature 4450 that are separated by a space 4460 that is sized toreceive the firing member body 4052 therebetween. In the illustratedexample, the right ramp feature 4440 angles downward from the topportion 4402 of the retainer 4400 and comprises a proximal right tip4442. The proximal right tip 4442 defines a first right cam surface 4444that angles inward at the tip and extends distally to a second right camsurface 4446. The second right cam surface 4446 extends from the firstright cam surface 4444 to the top portion 4402. See FIG. 12. Similarly,the left ramp feature 4450 angles downward from the top portion 4402 ofthe retainer 4400 and comprises a proximal left tip 4452. The proximalleft tip 4452 angles inward at the tip and extends distally to a secondleft cam surface 4456. The second left cam surface 4456 extends from thefirst left cam surface 4454 to the top portion 4402. The retainer 4400additionally comprises a retainer keel 4470 that protrudes from thebottom surface of the top portion 4402 and is oriented to be receivedwithin the longitudinal slot 4206 in the surgical staple cartridge 4200.Retainer keel 4470 may serve to properly orient the retainer 4400 on thestaple cartridge 4200 so that the right and left ramp features 4440 and4450 extend on each side of the firing member 4050. In addition, theretainer keel 4470 may be configured to engage the sled 4230 in thestaple cartridge 4200 and retain the sled 4230 in the unfired positionwhile the retainer 4400 is attached to the staple cartridge 4200. Theretainer keel 4470 may be sized relative to the longitudinal slot 4206to establish a frictional fit therewith to retain the retainer 4400 onthe staple cartridge 4200.

Referring now to FIGS. 10, 14, and 15, after the retainer 4400 has beenattached to the staple cartridge 4200 to form the cartridge assembly4500, the cartridge assembly 4500 may be longitudinally inserted intothe first jaw or frame 4010 so as to bring the right tip 4442 of theright ramp feature 4440 of the authentication key 4430 into contact withan upstanding unlocking tab 4322 on the first lockout arm 4312 and theleft tip 4452 of the left ramp 4450 into contact with an upstandingunlocking tab 4324 on the second lockout arm 4314 of the first lockoutspring 4310. During the initial longitudinal insertion of the assembledcartridge arrangement 4500 in a proximal direction into the frame 4010,the first right cam surface 4444 biases the first lockout arm 4312 ofthe first lockout spring 4310 laterally outward (arrow RL in FIG. 14)and the first left cam surface 4454 biases the second lockout arm 4314laterally outward (arrow LL). Further proximal advancement of thecartridge assembly 4500 into the first jaw or frame 4010 causes thefirst lockout arm 4312 to attain a first intermediate position whereinthe first lockout arm 4312 disengages the corresponding central pin 4058on the firing member 4050 and also causes the second lockout arm 4314 toattain a second intermediate position wherein the second lockout arm4314 disengages the corresponding central pin 4058 on the firing member4050. Continued longitudinal insertion of the assembled cartridgearrangement 4500 in a proximal direction into the first jaw or frame4010 causes the second right cam surface 4446 to further bias the firstlockout arm 4312 laterally outward and the second left cam surface 4456to further bias the second lockout arm 4314 laterally outward until thecartridge assembly 4500 is completely operably seated in the first jawor frame 4010. See FIG. 15. When the cartridge assembly 4500 has beenoperably seated in the first jaw or frame 4010, a distal first retentiontab 4326 on the first lockout arm 4312 engages a corresponding side ofthe staple cartridge 4200 to retain the first lockout arm 4312 in thatunlocked position. Likewise a distal second retention tab 4328 formed onthe second lockout arm 4314 engages another corresponding side of thestaple cartridge 4200 to retain the second lockout arm 4314 in thatunlocked position. When in that position, the first lockout 4300 is inthe unlocked position or, stated another way, is “defeated”. During theunlocking process, the right and left ramps 4440, 4450 may be reinforcedby the firing member 4050 in applications wherein the locking forcesgenerated from the first spring 4310 are high.

The user may then remove the retainer 4400 from the staple cartridge4200 by prying the up the distal latch tab 4422 and lifting the retainer4400 upward until the retainer lugs 4410 disengage the deck ledgeportions 4205 on the cartridge body 4202. With the first lockout 4300defeated or unlocked, the firing member 4050 may be distally advancedfrom the starting position and is in a “ready state”. After the staplecartridge 4200 has been fired, the firing member 4050 is retracted backto the starting position and the second jaw or anvil 4100 is pivotedback to the open position. The spent staple cartridge may then beremoved from the first jaw or frame 4010. Once the spent staplecartridge 4200 has been removed from the first jaw or frame 4010, thefirst and second lockout arms 4312, 4314 spring back into engagementwith the corresponding central pins 4058 on the firing member 4050 toonce again retain the firing member 4050 in the starting position.

Other first lockout spring arrangements are contemplated. For example, afirst lockout spring may only comprise one lateral lockout arm andengage only one side of the firing member. In such arrangements, anauthentication key comprising only one ramp may be needed to unlock thelockout arm.

As discussed above, when the cartridge assembly 4500 is operably seatedin the frame 4010, the first lockout 4300 is defeated or unlocked topermit the firing member 4050 to be distally advanced from that readystate during a staple firing stroke. When attached to the staplecartridge 4200, the retainer 4400 covers the cartridge deck surface 4204and prevents staples from falling out of the staple pockets 4208 as wellas prevents any debris or contamination from entering the longitudinalslot 4206 or staple pockets 4208 which could damage the staple cartridgeor prevent it from operating properly. Other variations of the retainer4400 are contemplated wherein only a portion of the cartridge decksurface 4204 is covered by the retainer. Other configurations may notcover any of staple pockets and/or any of the deck surface.

As was also discussed above, after a staple cartridge has been fired, orat least partially fired, it is removed from the first jaw or frame andthen replaced with another compatible staple cartridge, if desired. Atsuch point, the stapling device can be re-used to continue stapling andincising the patient tissue. In some instances, however, apreviously-fired staple cartridge can be accidentally loaded into theframe. If the firing member were to be advanced distally within such apreviously-fired staple cartridge (sometimes referred to herein as a“spent” cartridge), the stapling instrument would cut the patient tissuewithout stapling it. This could conceivably happen even if the retainer4400 were inadvertently accidentally attached to the spent cartridge andthe resulting cartridge assembly is then seated into the frame so as todefeat the first lockout. The surgical stapling device would similarlycut the patient tissue without stapling it if the firing member wereadvanced distally through a staple firing stroke without a staplecartridge positioned in the cartridge jaw at all. To prevent theseoccurrences from happening, the surgical stapling device 4002 furthercomprises a second lockout 4600 that is configured to prevent the firingmember 4050 from distally advancing through the staple firing strokewhen a spent staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw or frame 4010.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, and 16-19, the knife bar 4042, which maycomprise a solid or laminated structure, comprises a spring tab 4044that is configured to operably interface with a spring plate 4070 thatis mounted or grounded in the bottom of the first jaw or frame 4010. Thespring plate 4070 is provided with a hole 4072 that is configured toreceive the spring tab 4044 therein when the firing member 4050 is inits proximal-most, “starting” position. When in that position, thespring tab 4044 extends into the hole 4072 and may serve to prevent anyinadvertent distal movement of the firing member 4050 until desired bythe operator. In the illustrated example, the second lockout 4600further comprises blocking features or ledges 4602 that are formed inthe bottom of the frame 4010. If the user were to attempt to distallyadvance the firing member 4050 before a cartridge has been operablyseated into the frame 4010, the spring tab 4044 in cooperation with thespring plate 4070 will cause the firing member 4050 to dive downwardbringing the central pins 4058 on the firing member 4050 into contactwith the blocking features 4602 in the frame and thereby prevent thefiring member 4050 from advancing distally.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate operation of the second lockout 4600 when aspent staple cartridge 4200S has been seated into the frame 4010. Asused in this context, the term “spent” staple cartridge may refer to astaple cartridge that has been previously fully fired or partiallyfired. In either case, the sled 4230 will have been distally advancedfrom its proximal-most, unfired position. FIG. 16 depicts the firingmember 4050 in the proximal-most, starting position with the spentstaple cartridge 4200S seated in the frame 4010. FIG. 17 illustrates thesecond lockout 4600 preventing the firing member 4050 from beingdistally advanced into the spent cartridge 4200S. As can be seen in FIG.17, the spring tab 4044 in cooperation with the spring plate 4070 hascaused the firing member 4050 to dive downward bringing the central pins4058 on the firing member 4050 into contact with the blocking features4602 in the frame to thereby prevent the firing member 4050 fromadvancing distally.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate operation of the second lockout 4600 when anunfired staple cartridge 4200 has been seated into the first jaw orframe 4010. As can be seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, the sled 4230 is in itsproximal-most, unfired position. The sled 4230 comprises an unlockingledge 4234 that is configured to be engaged by an unlocking feature 4055that is formed on the firing member body 4052. FIG. 18 illustrates thefiring member 4050 in the proximal-most, starting position with theunfired staple cartridge 4200 seated in the first jaw or frame 4010.When the firing member 4050 is advanced distally, the unlocking feature4055 on the firing member 4050 engages the unlocking ledge 4234 on thesled 4230 which causes the firing member 4050 to be lifted upward sothat the central pins 4058 on the firing member 4050 clear the blockingfeatures 4060 in the first jaw or frame 4010. The firing member 4050 isnow free to continue its distal advancement into the staple cartridge4200 to complete the staple firing stroke. As the firing member 4050 isdistally advanced, the foot 4054 may engage corresponding surfaces onthe bottom of the first jaw or frame 4010 and the top pins 4056 mayengage a cam surface on the anvil 4100 of the surgical stapling device4002 which co-operate to position the anvil 4100 and the staplecartridge 4200 relative to one another. That said, embodiments areenvisioned without one or both of the foot 4054 and top pins 4056.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the first lockout 4300 isproximal to the second lockout 4600. The first lockout 4300 ispositioned within the surgical stapling device 4002 such that the firstlockout 4300 is proximal to the sled 4230 of an unfired staple cartridge4200 that has been seated in the first jaw or frame 4010. The firstlockout 4300 is configured to move laterally between engaged positionswherein the first lock prevents distal advancement of the firing member4050 from a starting position and disengaged positions wherein thefiring member 4050 may be distally advanced therefrom (sometimesreferred to herein as a “ready state”). For example, the first andsecond lockout arms 4312 and 4314 are configured to move in a firsthorizontal plane FP between engaged and disengaged positions. See FIG.8. With regard to the second lockout 4600, the firing member 4050 movesvertically between the unlocked and locked positions along a secondplane SP. See FIG. 9. In the illustrated example, the second plane SP isorthogonal to the first plane FP. When the firing member 4050 is in theready state, if firing motions are applied thereto, the firing member4050 may move distally. However, unless a compatible staple cartridgethat has a sled located in an unfired position therein is seated in theframe to unlock the second lockout, the firing member will be preventedfrom distally advancing through the staple firing stroke.

FIGS. 20-23 illustrate another surgical stapling assembly 5000 that issimilar in many aspects to surgical stapling assembly 4000 discussedabove. The surgical stapling assembly 5000 comprises a surgical staplingdevice 5002 that may be employed in connection with the surgicalinstrument 1010 described above or in connection with a variety of othersurgical instruments described in various disclosures that have beenincorporated by reference herein. As can be seen in FIG. 20, thesurgical stapling device 5002 comprises a first jaw or frame 5010 thatis configured to operably support a compatible staple cartridge 4200therein. The first jaw or frame 5010 may be attached to a spine of ashaft assembly of a surgical instrument or robot in the various mannersdescribed herein and/or described in the various disclosures which havebeen incorporated by reference herein. In the illustrated example, thefirst jaw or frame 5010 is attached to the spine of a shaft assembly(not shown in FIG. 20), by a shaft mount flange 5030 that is pinned by apin 5032 or otherwise attached to a proximal end 5014 of the first jaw5010. In particular, pin 5032 is configured to pass through alignedholes 5021 in upstanding sidewalls 5020 of the first jaw or frame 5010as well as through hole 5031 in the shaft mount flange 5030. The shaftmount flange 5030 is configured to interface with an articulation jointarrangement (not shown) that is configured to facilitate articulation ofthe first jaw 5010 relative to the shaft assembly in various knownconfigurations. The surgical stapling device 5002 may also be used inconnection with shaft assemblies that do not facilitate articulation ofthe surgical stapling device 5002.

Still referring to FIG. 20, the surgical stapling device 5002 furthercomprises a firing member assembly 5040 that comprises a knife bar 5042that is attached to a knife member or firing member 5050. The knife bar5042 also interfaces with corresponding components and firing systems inthe surgical instrument or robot to receive firing motions which candistally advance the knife bar 5042 and firing member 5050 through astaple firing stroke from a starting position to an ending position andalso retract the knife bar 5042 and firing member 5050 proximally to thestarting position. In the illustrated arrangement, the firing member5050 comprises a firing member body 5052 that supports a cutting edge orknife edge 5053. The firing member 5050 further comprises a foot 5054that is formed on the bottom of the firing member body 5052 and extendslaterally from each side thereof. The firing member 5050 furthercomprises a pair of top pins or tabs 5056 that extend laterally from thefiring member body 5052 that are adapted to engage ledges on a secondjaw or anvil as will be discussed further herein. Additionally, thefiring member 5050 comprises a pair of central pins or tabs 5058 thatprotrude laterally from each side of the firing member body 5052. Insome of the disclosures incorporated by reference herein, the firingmember 5050 may also be referred to as an “E-Beam” firing member orcutting member.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 5002 furthercomprises a second jaw or anvil 5100 that is movable relative to thefirst jaw or frame 5010. The anvil 5100 comprises an anvil body 5102 andan anvil mounting portion 5110. The anvil body 5102 comprises a stapleforming undersurface or tissue contacting surface 5104 that has a seriesof staple forming pockets (not shown) formed therein that are arrangedto form corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contacttherewith. The anvil mounting portion 5110 comprises a pair of laterallyextending anvil pins or trunnion pins 5112 that are configured to bereceived in corresponding trunnion holes 5022 provided in the upstandingsidewalls 5020 of the first jaw or frame 5010. Unlike the anvil 4100described above, the anvil 5100 is pivotally pinned to the frame 5010for pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed pivot axis. Statedanother way, unlike anvil 4100, anvil 5100 does not materially moveaxially or translate during the anvil closure process. In variousarrangements, the trunnion holes 5022 may be sized relative to thetrunnion pins 5112 to facilitate installation therein and free pivotaltravel of the trunnion pins such that the trunnion pins may have someslight axial movement therein, but any of such axial motion is much lessthan the axial translation of the anvil 4100.

As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which havebeen incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 5100 may be movablefrom an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge mayeither be removed from the first jaw or frame 5010 or an unfired staplecartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by anaxially movable closure member or end effector closure tube (not shown).For example, as the closure member is moved distally from a proximalposition, the closure tube may operably engage a cam surface on theanvil mounting portion 5110. Such interaction between the closure memberand the anvil mounting portion 5110 causes the anvil mounting portion5110 and the anvil trunnion pins 5112 to pivot until the closure membermoves the anvil 5100 to a fully closed position. When in the fullyclosed position, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 5100 areproperly aligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible surgicalstaple cartridge that has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame5010. When the axially movable closure member is thereafter moved in aproximal direction, the closure member causes the anvil 5100 to pivotback to the open position.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 5002 comprises afirst lockout 5300 that is configured to prevent the firing member 5050from moving distally from its proximal-most, starting position when anauthorized or compatible staple cartridge is not operably seated in theframe 5010. The first lockout 5300 may also be referred to herein as an“authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement, the firstlockout 5300 comprises a single, a pivotal first spring assembly 5310that is supported in a proximal end 5014 of the first jaw or frame 5010and is attached to the shaft mount flange 5030. In one arrangement forexample, the first spring assembly 5310 comprises a first lockout arm5312 and a second lockout arm 5314 that are attached to a central bodyportion 5316. The first spring assembly 5310 is attached to the shaftmount flange 5030 by a pin 5034 that extends through holes 5036 in theshaft mount flange 5030 and through holes 5318 in the first lockout arm5312 and the second lockout arm 5314. The first lockout arm 5312 and thesecond lockout arm 5314 each further comprise a lockout latch feature5320. Each lockout latch feature 5320 is adapted to releasably capturetherein a corresponding central pin 5058 on the firing member 5050 whenthe firing member 5050 is in its proximal-most or starting position. SeeFIG. 21. Additionally, the first lockout spring assembly 5310 furthercomprises a pivot spring or springs 5330 that serve to bias or pivot thefirst spring assembly 5310 downwardly about the pin 5034 to bring thelatch features 5320 into latching or locking engagement with thecorresponding central pins 5058.

The surgical stapling assembly 5000 may further comprise a retainer 5400that is similar to retainer 4400 described above. The retainer 5400comprises a top portion 5402 that is coextensive with and configured tobe received on the deck surface 4204 of the staple cartridge 4200 suchthat when the retainer 5400 is attached to the cartridge body 4202, theretainer 5400 covers all of the staple pockets 4208 in the cartridgebody 4202. Thus, when the retainer 5400 is attached to the staplecartridge 4200, the retainer 5400 may prevent the surgical staplesstored within the staple pockets 4208 from falling out should thesurgical staple cartridge 4200 be inverted or turned upside down priorto use. Other retainer configurations are contemplated wherein theretainer top does not cover all or any of the staple pockets. In theillustrated arrangement, the retainer 5400 may be molded from a polymermaterial and include a plurality of retainer lugs 5410 that areconfigured to latchingly engage outwardly extending deck ledge portions4205 on the staple cartridge body 4202. The retainer 5400 may furthercomprise an angled nose portion 5420 and a distal latch tab 5422 thatthat is configured to latchingly engage the distal nose 4203 of thecartridge body 4202. The retainer 5400 may be removably coupled to thestaple cartridge 4200 by engaging the distal latch tab 5422 with the endof the staple cartridge distal nose 4203 and aligning the retainer 5400such that the underside of the top portion 5402 confronts the cartridgedeck surface 4204 and the retainer lugs 5410 are located above the deckledge portions 4205 on each side of the staple cartridge body 4202.Thereafter, the retainer 5400 may be pressed toward the staple cartridge4200 causing the retainer lugs 5410 to flex laterally outward and snapinto latching engagement with the corresponding deck ledge portions4205. Other retainer latching arrangements disclosed herein may also beemployed to removably affix the retainer 5400 to the staple cartridge4200.

The retainer 5400 further comprises an authentication key 5430 that isadapted to engage key pockets 5322 that are formed in the first lockoutarm 5312 and the second lockout arm 5314. As can be seen in FIG. 20, theauthentication key 5430 protrudes proximally from a proximal end 5401 ofthe top portion 5402 of the retainer 5400 and comprises a right rampfeature 5440 and a left ramp feature 5450 that are separated by a spacethat is sized to receive the firing member body 5052 therebetween. Inthe illustrated example, the ramps 5440 and 5450 angle downward from thetop portion 5402 of the retainer 5400 and are configured to enter thekey pockets 5322 in the first and second lockout arms 5312, 5314.

In use, the retainer 5400 is removably attached to the staple cartridge4200 to form a cartridge assembly 5500. Thereafter, the cartridgeassembly is initially inserted into the first jaw or frame 5010 so as toinsert the ramps 5440 and 5450 of the authentication key 5430 into thekey pockets 5322 in the first and second lockout arms 5312, 5314. SeeFIG. 21. Further longitudinal advancement of the cartridge assembly 5500into the first jaw or frame 5010 in a proximal direction causes theramps 5440 and 5450 to pivot the first spring 5310 upward into adisengaged or unlocked position wherein the latch features 5320 havedisengaged the corresponding central pins 5058. See FIG. 22. When thecartridge assembly 5500 has been operably seated in the first jaw orframe 5010, a distally facing detent 5326 that is formed on each of thefirst and second lockout arms 5312, 5314 retainingly engage a proximalend of the staple cartridge 4200 as shown in FIG. 22. Such arrangementserves to retain the first spring 5310 in the disengaged position. Whenin that position, the first lockout 5300 is in the unlocked position orstated another way is “defeated”, unlocked or unlatched. The user maythen remove the retainer 5400 from the staple cartridge 4200 by pryingthe up the distal latch tab 5422 and lifting the retainer 5400 upwarduntil the retainer lugs 5410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205. Inthe illustrated example, the term “LIFT” is molded, embossed, imprintedor otherwise provided on the nose portion 5420 to provide removalinstructions to the user. The surgical staple cartridge 5200 remainingin the frame 5010 is ready to be fired. See FIG. 23.

The surgical stapling device 5002 also includes a second lockout 5600that is very similar to the second lockout 4600 described above.Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, the knife bar 5042, which may comprisea solid or laminated structure, comprises a spring tab 5044 that isconfigured to operably interface with a spring plate 5070 that ismounted in the bottom of the first jaw 5010. The spring plate 5070serves to pivot the firing member 5050 downward such that the centralpins 5038 thereon contact the frame blocking or abutment features (notshown) in the bottom of the frame 5010 unless an unlocking feature 5055on the firing member 5050 engages an unlocking ledge 4234 on the sled4230 causing the firing member 5050 to be lifted upward so that thecentral pins 5058 on the firing member 5050 clear the blocking featuresin the frame 5010 was discussed above.

FIGS. 24-26 illustrate an alternative compatible surgical staplecartridge 4200′ that is configured to actuate the first lockout 5300 inthe manner described above. In this arrangement, however, theauthentication key 5030′ is formed on the cartridge pan 4220′. As can beseen in FIG. 24, the authentication key 5030′ comprises a right rampfeature 5440′ and a left ramp feature 5450′ that are bent into thecartridge pan 4220′ to protrude proximally therefrom. A reinforcementrib 5441′ may be embossed into each joint where the ramps 5440′ and5450′ are formed to provide additional support and rigidity to each ofthe ramps 5440′, 5450′. In the illustrated example, the ramp 5440′ hasan angled proximal tip 5442′ and the ramp 5450′ contains an angledproximal tip 5452′. The tips 5442′, 5452′ are each configured to enterthe key pockets 5322 in the first and second lockout arms 5312, 5314 topivot the first lockout 5300 in the above described manner. The firstlockout 5300 otherwise operates in the manner described above.

Referring to FIG. 27, an example of a surgical stapling assembly 6000 isshown. The surgical stapling assembly 6000 comprises a surgical staplingdevice 6002 that may be employed in connection with the surgicalinstrument 1010 described above or in connection with a variety of othersurgical instruments or robots described in various disclosures thathave been incorporated by reference herein. As can be seen in FIG. 27,the surgical stapling device 6002 comprises a first jaw, or frame 6010that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge 4200 therein.The first jaw or frame 6010 is attached to a spine of the shaft assembly(not shown) by a shaft mount flange 4030 (FIG. 6) in the various mannersdescribed herein. The surgical stapling device 6002 further comprises afiring member assembly that comprises a knife bar that is attached to aknife member or firing member 4050 as was described above.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 6002 comprises asecond jaw or anvil 6100 that is movable relative to the first jaw orframe 6010. The anvil 6100 is similar to anvil 4100 described above andcomprises an anvil body 6102 and an anvil mounting portion 6110. Theanvil body 6102 comprises a staple forming undersurface or tissuecontacting surface 6104 that has a series of staple forming pockets (notshown) formed therein that are arranged to form corresponding staples asthey are driven into forming contact therewith. The anvil mountingportion 6110 comprises a pair of laterally extending anvil pins ortrunnion assemblies 6112. Each trunnion assembly 6112 comprises anoutwardly and downwardly protruding lock lug portion 6120 that has atrunnion pin 6122 extending therefrom. Each trunnion pin 6122 isconfigured to be received in corresponding trunnion slots 6022 in theupstanding sidewalls 6020 of the first jaw 6010. In the illustratedarrangement, the trunnion slots 6022 are somewhat “kidney-shaped” andfacilitate pivotal as well as axial travel of the corresponding trunnionpins 6122 therein.

As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which havebeen incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 6100 may be movablefrom an open position wherein a used or spent surgical staple cartridgemay either be removed from the frame 6010 or a fresh, new staplecartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by anaxially movable closure member or end effector closure tube (not shown).For example, as the closure member is moved distally from a proximalposition, the closure member may operably engage a cam surface on theanvil mounting portion 6110. Such interaction between the closure memberand the anvil mounting portion 6110 causes the anvil mounting portion6110 and the anvil trunnion pins 6122 to pivot and translate up thetrunnion slots 6022 until the closure member moves the anvil 6100 to aclosed position. When in the fully closed position, the staple-formingpockets in the anvil 6100 are properly aligned with the staples in acorresponding compatible staple cartridge that has been operably seatedin the frame 6010. When the axially movable closure member is thereaftermoved in a proximal direction, the closure member interfaces with anupstanding tab 6114 on the anvil mounting portion 6110 to return theanvil 6100 to the open position.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 6002 comprises afirst lockout 6300 that is configured to prevent the second jaw or anvil6100 from being movable from the open position to the closed position bythe closure member. The first lockout 6300 may also be referred toherein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement,the first lockout 6300 comprises a first lockout arm 6310 that ispivotally supported in the frame 6010 by a lockout pin 6312 that isattached thereto. In one example, the first lockout arm 6310 isfabricated from stainless steel or the like and the lockout pin 6312 iswelded or otherwise attached thereto. The lockout pin 6312 is pivotallyseated in a pivot hole 6013 in the frame 6010 to facilitate pivotaltravel of the first lockout arm 6310 between a locked position and anunlocked position. See FIG. 28. In the illustrated example, a lockoutfeature 6316 is formed on the proximal end 6314 of the first lockout arm6310 and is configured to blockingly engage the lock lug portion 6120 onthe corresponding trunnion assembly 6112 when the first lockout arm 6310is in an engaged position. When the lockout feature 6316 blockinglyengages the lock lug portion 6120 on the trunnion assembly 6112, thelockout feature 6316 prevents the trunnion assembly 6112 from travelingwithin the corresponding trunnion slot 6022 in the first jaw or frame6010 which effectively prevents the second jaw or anvil 6100 from movingfrom the open position to the closed position should a closure motion beapplied thereto. This position of the first lockout arm 6310 may bereferred to herein as a “jaw locking position”. It will be appreciatedthat the lockout feature 6316, as well as the lock lug portion 6120, maybe sufficiently robust so as to resist substantial closure motions thatapplied to the anvil 6100 to prevent closure of the anvil 6100.

Still referring to FIG. 28, a first lockout spring 6330 is supported ina corresponding sidewall 6020 of the first jaw or frame 6010 to bias thefirst lockout arm 6310 in a locking direction LD to the engaged, lockedor “jaw locking” position wherein the first lockout arm 6310 preventsthe anvil 6100 from moving from the open position to the closedposition. A travel limiting plate or mounting plate 6070 is supportedwithin the frame 6010 and attached to the shaft mounting assembly. Thetravel limiting plate 6070 also provides lateral support to the firstlockout arm 6310 when in the jaw locking position. See FIG. 29. As canbe seen in FIGS. 28 and 29, the first lockout arm 6310 further comprisesan upstanding actuator cam arm 6322 that is formed on a distal end 6320of the first lockout arm 6310. The actuator cam arm 6322 comprises anactuator cam surface 6324. The first lockout arm 6310 further comprisesa retention tab 6326 that is configured to be received within acorresponding opening or tab window 6024 that is provided in a framesidewall 6020.

Turning now to FIG. 27, the stapling assembly 6000 further comprises aretainer 6400 that is configured to be removably coupled to the surgicalstaple cartridge 4200. In various embodiments, the retainer 6400 issubstantially similar to the retainer 4400 described above except forthe authentication key 6430. In the illustrated arrangement, theretainer 6400 comprises a top portion 6402 that is coextensive with andconfigured to be received on the deck surface 4204 such that when theretainer 6400 is attached to the cartridge body 4202, the retainer 6400covers all of the staple pockets 4208 in the cartridge body 4202. Inalternative versions the retainer top may only cover some of the staplepockets or none at all. The retainer 6400 may be molded from a polymermaterial and include a plurality of retainer lugs 6410 that areconfigured to latchingly engage outwardly extending deck ledge portions4205 that are formed on the staple cartridge body 4202. The retainer6400 may further comprise an angled nose portion 6420 and a distal latchtab 6422 that that is configured to latching engage the distal nose 4203of the staple cartridge body 4202. The retainer 6400 may be removablycoupled to the surgical staple cartridge 4200 by engaging the latch tab6422 with the end of the distal nose 4203 and aligning the retainer 6400such that the underside of the top portion 6402 of the retainer 6400confronts the cartridge deck surface 4204 and the retainer lugs 6410 arelocated above the deck ledge portions 4205 on each side of the cartridgebody 4202. Thereafter, the retainer 6400 may be pressed toward thestaple cartridge 4200 causing the retainer lugs 6410 to flex laterallyoutward and snap into latching engagement with the corresponding deckledge portions 4205. Other retainer latching arrangements disclosedherein may also be employed to removably affix the retainer 6400 to thestaple cartridge 4200. The retainer 6400 may be removed from the staplecartridge 4200 by applying a prying motion to the distal latch tab 6422and lifting upward until the retainer lugs 6410 disengage the deck ledgeportions 4205. In the illustrated example, the term “LIFT” is molded orembossed into the nose portion 6420 to provide removal instructions tothe user.

Referring now to FIGS. 32-35, the retainer 6400 further comprises anauthentication key 6430 that is configured to defeat, unlock or unlatchthe first lockout 6300 when the retainer 6400 is attached to thesurgical staple cartridge 4200 and the surgical staple cartridge 4200has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame 6010. As can be seenin FIG. 32, the authentication key 6430 protrudes proximally from aproximal end 6401 of the top portion 6402 of the retainer 6400 andcomprises an angled ramp feature 6440 that is positioned on one side ofthe cartridge axis CA when the retainer 6400 is attached to the staplecartridge 4200. In the illustrated example, the ramp 6440 anglesdownward from the top portion 6402 of the retainer 6400 and comprises aproximal tip 6442 that defines a first or proximal cam surface 6444 thatangles inward at the tip. A second or distal cam surface 6446 is locatedbelow the first cam surface 6444. These dual sequential cam surfaces6444, 6446 are configured to interface with the actuator cam surface6324 on the actuator cam arm 6322 to move the first lockout arm 6310from the locked or jaw locking position to the unlocked or jaw closureposition. Such arrangement affords little room for the authenticationkey 6430 to unlockingly actuate the actuator cam arm 6322 when thestaple cartridge supporting the retainer 6400 is operably seated in thefirst jaw or frame 6010. The dual cam surface arrangement facilitatespivotal actuation of the first lockout arm 6310 a sufficient pivotaldistance required to place the first lockout arm 6310 in the disengagedor jaw closure position. This amount of pivotal travel may be more thantwice the width of the ramp 6440, for example.

FIG. 29 illustrates the first lockout 6300 in the locked or jaw lockingposition wherein the first lockout arm 6310 is pivoted into positionwherein the lockout feature 6316 is in blocking engagement with the locklug portion 6120 on the trunnion assembly 6112 on the anvil 6100.Referring now to FIG. 36, after the retainer 6400 has been attached tothe surgical staple cartridge 4200 to form a cartridge assembly 6500,the cartridge assembly 6500 may be inserted into the first jaw or frame6010 such that the first cam surface 6444 engages the actuator camsurface 6324 on the actuator cam arm 6322 and begins to pivot the firstlockout arm 6310 out of the locked or jaw locking position to anintermediate position. Continued longitudinal insertion of the assembledcartridge arrangement 6500 into the frame 6010 in a proximal directioncauses the first cam surface 6444 to disengage the actuator cam surface6324 and the lower, second cam surface 6446 to engage the actuator camsurface 6324 to move the first lockout arm 6310 from the intermediateposition to the jaw closure position. See FIG. 37. When the firstlockout arm 6310 is in the locked or jaw locking position, the actuatorcam arm 6322 is located distal to the firing member 6050. The lowersecond cam surface 6446 completes the pivotal travel of the firstlockout arm 6310 so that the actuator cam arm 6322 does not interferewith the operation of the firing member 6050 while allowing the anvil6100 to move to a closed position. When the first lockout arm 6310 is inthe unlocked or jaw closure position, the retention tab 6326 is receivedwithin the tab window 6024 in the frame sidewall 6020 and is retainedtherein by the staple cartridge 4200. When in that position, the firstlockout 6300 is in the jaw closure position or stated another way is“defeated”, unlocked or unlatched. The user may then remove the retainer6400 from the surgical staple cartridge 4200 by prying the up the distallatch tab 6422 and lifting the retainer 6400 upward until the retainerlugs 6410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the space required tointerface with the first lockout 6300 is available when the anvil 6100is open, but is not available when the anvil 6100 is closed. Theretainer 6400 is present on the cartridge 4200 only when the anvil 6100is open during the cartridge insertion process. Thereafter, the retainer6400 is removed from the staple cartridge 4200. The anvil 6100 cannot beclosed when the retainer 6400 is in place. When closed, the anvil 6100occupies the space that was occupied by the retainer 6400. Thisarrangement is very different from a cartridge-based authentication keyarrangement that remains resident in the stapling device during theclosing and firing of the device. Dual sequential ramps/camming surfacesare employed in this arrangement to move the first lockout arm 6310laterally through a distance that is approximately at least twice aswide as the authentication key 6430. This may be an important aspect tothis design.

The proximal high ramp or camming surface begins the unlocking movementand engages the upstanding actuator cam arm 6322 that is distal to thefiring member 4050. It will be appreciated that a stationary lockingfeature that is unable to be moved or removed would not be able to reachthis area without affecting the ability to move the firing member 4050through the staple firing stroke. The second lower ramp/camming surfacecompletes the unlocking movement of the first unlocking arm 6310 so thatit is completely clear for the anvil 6100 to close. The secondramp/camming surface is sequentially spaced behind the firstramp/camming surface so that it can only engage the distal end of thefirst lockout arm 6310 after the first ramp/camming surface has pivotedit to that intermediate position.

FIG. 38 illustrates the staple cartridge 4200 operably seated in theframe 6010 with the first lockout 6300 defeated and the retainer 6400removed from the staple cartridge 4200. The anvil 6100 is now movablebetween the open and closed position and the surgical staple cartridge4200 is otherwise capable of being fired. In at least one form, thesurgical stapling device 6002 may also include a second lockout 4600that is configured to prevent the firing member 4050 from distallyadvancing through the staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridgeis seated in the first jaw or frame 6010 in the various mannersdiscussed above. After the staple cartridge 4200 has been fired, thefiring member 4050 is retracted back to the starting position and thesecond jaw or anvil 6100 is pivoted back to the open position. The spentstaple cartridge may then be removed from the first jaw or frame 6010.Once the spent staple cartridge 4200 has been removed from the first jawor frame 6010, the first lockout spring biases the first lockout arm6310 back to the jaw locking position wherein second jaw or anvil 6100is prevented from moving from the open to closed position.

FIG. 38A is another top view of the surgical stapling device 6002 with acartridge assembly 6500′ seated therein that comprises a retainer 6400′that is attached to a staple cartridge 4200. The retainer 6400′ issimilar to retainer 6400 described above, except that the authenticationkey 6430′ and ramp 6440′ are blended into a side wall 6403′ of theretainer 6400′. The retainer 6400′ may otherwise operate in the samemanner as retainer 6400 discussed above.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a proximal end of a staple cartridge4200″ that is identical to staple cartridge 4200 described above, exceptthat an authentication key 4228″ is folded into a cartridge pan 4220″that is attached to a cartridge body 4202″ as shown. As shown in FIGS.40-42, the staple cartridge 4200″ is configured to be used in connectionwith a surgical stapling assembly 6000′ that comprises a surgicalstapling device 6002′ that comprises a first lockout 6300′. Surgicalstapling device 6002′ is substantially identical to surgical staplingdevice 6002 except for a distal end of 6311′ of a first lockout arm6310′ that is pivotally supported in a frame 6010′ by a lockout pin6312′ that is attached thereto. A proximal end 6314′ of the firstlockout arm 6310′ is identical to the proximal end 6314 of the firstlockout arm 6310 and is configured to blockingly engage a lock lugportion on the corresponding trunnion assembly 6112′ of an anvil 6100′in the manner described in detail above. A lockout spring 6330′ servesto pivot the first lockout arm 6310′ to the locked position in themanner described above. FIG. 40 illustrates insertion of the staplecartridge 4200″ into the frame 6010′. As can be seen in FIG. 40, thefirst lockout arm 6310′ is in a locked or jaw locking position whereinthe proximal end 6314′ (FIG. 41) is in blocking engagement with the locklug on the trunnion assembly 6112′ to prevent closure of the anvil6100′. FIGS. 41 and 42 illustrate the staple cartridge 4200″ fullyseated in the frame 6010′. As can be seen in FIGS. 41 and 42, theauthentication key 4228″ has pivoted the first lockout arm 6310′ into ajaw closure position and retains the first lockout arm 6310′ in thatposition. When in the jaw closure position, the anvil 6100 is free to bepivoted closed as illustrated in FIG. 41. In this arrangement, theauthentication key 4228″ comprises a portion of the staple cartridge andis not mounted to a removable retainer. The authentication key 4228″retains the first lockout arm 6310′ in the jaw closure position whilethe staple cartridge remains seated in the frame 6010′ throughout thestapling procedure.

After the staple cartridge 4200′ has been fired, the user returns afiring member of the surgical stapling device 6002′ back to a startingposition and the anvil 6100′ is pivoted to the open position allowingthe spent staple cartridge to be removed from the frame 6010′. When thespent staple cartridge 4200′ is removed from the frame 6010′, thelockout spring 6330′ pivots the first lockout arm 6310′ back to the jawlocking position. In some instances, the spent staple cartridge may be“reprocessed” for reuse in another stapling procedure and/or anotherstapling device. It is important for those reprocessing entities toinstall the proper surgical staples as well as the proper number ofsurgical staples into the reprocessed staple cartridge required to makethat cartridge compatible with a particular stapling device to ensurethe desired results during use. Unfortunately, some reprocessingentities at times fail to properly reprocess the spent cartridge, yetstill offer the reprocessed spent cartridge as a new cartridgemanufactured by the original manufacturer. The end user may unwittinglyobtain the defective cartridge and use it in a surgical stapling device.In an effort to prevent such instances from occurring, once the spentcartridge has been removed from the surgical stapling device 6002′, theauthentication key 4228″ may be irretrievably flattened. For example, ascan be seen in FIG. 39, the authentication key 4228″ is formed with apair of lugs 4229″ that are slidably received in slots 4223″ provided inthe cartridge pan 4220″. By a applying a flattening force FF to the tipof the authentication key 4228″ the key may be flattened against theproximal end 4225″ of the cartridge pan 4220″ rendering theauthentication key 4228″ inoperable for future use.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a proximal end of a staple cartridge4200′″ that is identical to staple cartridge 4200 described above,except that an authentication key 4228′″ is folded into a cartridge pan4220′″ that is attached to a cartridge body 4202′″ as shown. In thisembodiment, the authentication key 4228′″ protrudes from a top flap4225′″ of the cartridge pan 4220′″ that is folded over a portion of acartridge deck 4204′″ which may serve to enhance the strength of theauthentication key 4228′″. The authentication key 4228′″ may furthercomprise a folded stiffener wall portion 4227′″ and have an angledactuation or cam surface 4229A′″ and a latch surface 4229B′″. As shownin FIGS. 44-46, the staple cartridge 4200′″ is configured to be used inconnection with a surgical stapling assembly 6000″ that comprises asurgical stapling device 6002″ that comprises a first lockout 6300″.

In many aspects, surgical stapling device 6002″ is substantiallyidentical to surgical stapling device 6002 and includes a first lockoutarm 6310″ that is pivotally supported in a frame 6010″ by a lockout pin6312″ that is attached thereto. A proximal end 6314″ of the firstlockout arm 6310″ may be identical to the proximal end 6314 of the firstlockout arm 6310 and is configured to blockingly engage a lock lugportion on the corresponding trunnion assembly 6112″ of an anvil 6100″in the manner described in detail above. A lockout spring 6330″ servesto pivot the first lockout arm 6310″ to the locked or jaw lockingposition in the manner described above. A distal end of the firstlockout arm 6310″ comprises an upstanding actuator cam arm 6322″ that isconfigured to be engaged by the authentication key 4228′ on the staplecartridge 4200′″.

FIG. 46 illustrates insertion of the staple cartridge 4200′″ into theframe 6010″. The first lockout arm 6310″ is in a jaw locking positionwherein the proximal end 6314″ is in blocking engagement with the locklug on the trunnion assembly 6112′ to prevent closure of the anvil6100″. During the initial insertion of the staple cartridge 4200′″ intothe frame 6010″, the angled actuation or cam surface 4229A′″ hascontacted the upstanding actuator cam arm 6322″ to begin to pivot thefirst lockout arm 6310″ out of the jaw locking position. Continuedinsertion of the staple cartridge 4200′″ into the frame 6010″ causes theauthentication key 4228′ to pivot the first lockout arm 6310″ to theunlocked or jaw closure position wherein the actuator cam arm 6322″ hasdisengaged the angled cam surface 4229A′″ and is retained in thatunlocked or jaw closure position by the latch surface 4229B′″ on theauthentication key 4228′. See FIGS. 44 and 45. When in the unlocked orjaw closure position, the anvil 6100″ is free to be pivoted closed. Inthis arrangement, the authentication key 4228′ comprises a portion ofthe staple cartridge and is not mounted to a removable retainer. Theauthentication key 4228′ retains the first lockout arm 6310″ in the jawclosure position while the staple cartridge 4200′″ remains seated in theframe 6010″ throughout the stapling procedure.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a proximal end of a staple cartridge4700 that, for the most part, is identical to staple cartridge 4200described above, except that an authentication key 4728 is folded into acartridge pan 4720 that is attached to a cartridge body 4702 as shown.In this embodiment, the authentication key 4728 protrudes from a topflap 4725 of the cartridge pan 4720 that is folded over a portion of acartridge deck 4704 which may serve to enhance the strength of theauthentication key 4728. The authentication key 4728 comprises an angledactuation or cam surface 4729A and a latch surface 4729B. Theauthentication key 4728 is folded to extend below a plane defined by thecartridge deck 4704 and may be employed, for example, with surgicalstapling device 6002″ in the above described manner or other surgicalstapling devices with slightly shorter actuator cam arms.

FIGS. 48-51 illustrate another surgical stapling assembly 7000 that issimilar in many aspects to surgical stapling assembly 6000 discussedabove. The surgical stapling assembly 7000 comprises a surgical staplingdevice 7002 that may be employed in connection with the surgicalinstrument 1010 described above or in connection with a variety of othersurgical instruments or robots described in various disclosures thathave been incorporated by reference herein. As can be seen in FIG. 48,the surgical stapling device 7002 comprises a first jaw, or frame, 7010that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge 4200 therein.The first jaw or frame 7010 is attached to a spine of the shaft assemblyin the various manners described herein. In the illustrated example, thefirst jaw or frame 7010 is attached to the spine of a shaft assembly(not shown in FIG. 48), by a shaft mount flange 7030 that is pinned by apin 7032 or otherwise attached to a proximal end 7014 of the first jaw7010. In particular, pin 7032 is configured to pass through alignedholes 7021 in upstanding sidewalls 7020 of the first jaw or frame 7010as well as through hole 7031 in the shaft mount flange 7030. The shaftmount flange 7030 is configured to interface with an articulation jointarrangement (not shown) that is configured to facilitate articulation ofthe first jaw 7010 relative to the shaft assembly in various knownconfigurations. The surgical stapling device 7002 may also be used inconnection with shaft assemblies that do not facilitate articulation ofthe surgical stapling device 7002.

Still referring to FIG. 48, the surgical stapling device 7002 furthercomprises a firing member assembly 4040 that comprises a knife bar 4042that is attached to a knife member or firing member 4050. Operation ofthe firing member 4050 and the knife bar 4042 were discussed in detailabove. Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 7002 furthercomprises a second jaw or anvil 7100 that is movable relative to thefirst jaw or frame 7010. The anvil 7100 comprises an anvil body 7102 andan anvil mounting portion 7110. The anvil body 7102 comprises a stapleforming undersurface or tissue contacting surface 7104 that has a seriesof staple forming pockets formed therein (not shown) that are arrangedto form corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contacttherewith. The anvil mounting portion 7110 comprises a pair of laterallyextending anvil pins or trunnion pins 7112 that are configured to bereceived in corresponding trunnion holes 7022 in the upstandingsidewalls 7020 of the first jaw or frame 7010. Unlike the anvil 6100described above, the anvil 7100 is pivotally pinned to the frame 7010for pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed pivot axis. Statedanother way, unlike anvil 6100, anvil 7100 does not materially moveaxially or translate during the anvil closure process.

As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which havebeen incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 7100 may be movablefrom an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge mayeither be removed from the first jaw or frame 7010 or an unfired staplecartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by anaxially movable closure member or end effector closure tube 7600. Forexample, as the closure tube 7600 is moved distally from a proximalposition, the closure tube 7600 may operably engage a cam surface 7113on the anvil mounting portion 7110. Such interaction between the closuretube 7600 and the anvil mounting portion 7110 causes the anvil mountingportion 7110 and the trunnion pins 7112 to pivot until the closuremember moves the anvil 7100 to a fully closed position. When in thefully closed position, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 7100 areproperly aligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible staplecartridge 4200 that has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame7010. When the axially movable closure tube 7600 is thereafter moved ina proximal direction, a tab 7602 on the closure tube 7600 interfaceswith a tab 7114 on the anvil mounting portion 7110 to cause the anvil7100 to pivot back to the open position.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 7002 comprises afirst lockout 7300 that is configured to prevent the second jaw or anvil7100 from being movable from the open position to the closed position bythe closure member 7600. The first lockout 7300 may also be referred toherein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement,the first lockout 7300 comprises a first lockout arm 7310 that ispivotally supported in the first jaw or frame 7010 by a lockout pin 7312that is attached thereto. In one example, the first lockout arm 7310 isfabricated from stainless steel or the like and the lockout pin 7312 maybe machined into the proximal end thereof. The lockout pin 7312 ispivotally seated in a pivot hole 7013 in the frame 7010 to facilitatepivotal travel of the first lockout arm 7310 in a locking direction LDbetween a jaw locking position and a jaw closure position. See FIG. 50.In the illustrated example, the first lockout arm 7310 is configured toblockingly engage a lock lug portion 7120 protruding downward from theanvil mounting portion 7110 when the first lockout arm 7310 is the jawlocking position. When the first lockout arm 7310 is in that locked orengaged position, pivotal travel of the anvil 7100 is prevented when thelock lug portion 7120 contacts the first lockout arm 7310. It will beappreciated that the first lockout arm 7310, as well as the lock lugportion 7120, are each sufficiently robust so as to resist substantialclosure motions that applied to the anvil 7100 to prevent closure of theanvil 7100.

Referring now to FIG. 50, a first lockout spring 7330 is supported in acorresponding sidewall 7020 of the first jaw or frame 7010 to bias thefirst lockout arm 7310 in the locking direction LD to the locked or jawlocking position wherein the first lockout arm 7310 prevents the anvil7100 from moving from the open position to the closed position. As canbe seen in FIG. 50, the first lockout arm 7310 further comprises anupstanding actuator cam arm 7322 that is formed on a distal end 7320 ofthe first lockout arm 7310. The actuator cam arm 7322 comprises anactuator cam surface 7324 thereon. The first lockout arm 7310 furthercomprises a retention tab 7326 that is configured to be received withina corresponding opening or tab window 7024 provided in a frame sidewall7020.

Turning again to FIG. 48, the stapling assembly 7000 further comprises aretainer 7400 that is configured to be removably coupled to the surgicalstaple cartridge 4200. In many aspects, the retainer 7400 issubstantially similar to the retainer 4400 described above. In theillustrated arrangement, the retainer 7400 comprises a top portion 7402that is coextensive with and configured to be received on the decksurface 4204 of the staple cartridge body 4202. When the retainer 7400is attached to the cartridge body 4202, the retainer 7400 covers all ofthe staple pockets 4208 in the cartridge body 4202. In other versionsonly some or none of the staple pockets are covered. The retainer 7400may be molded from a polymer material and include a plurality ofretainer lugs 7410 that are configured to latchingly engage outwardlyextending deck ledge portions 4205. The retainer 7400 may furthercomprise an angled nose portion 7420 and a distal latch tab 7422 thatthat is configured to latching engage the distal nose 4203 of thecartridge body 4202.

The retainer 7400 may be removably coupled to the surgical staplecartridge 4200 by engaging the distal latch tab 7422 with the end of thedistal nose 4203 and aligning the retainer 7400 such that the undersideof the top portion 7402 confronts the cartridge deck surface 4204 andthe retainer lugs 7410 are located above the deck ledge portions 4205 oneach side of the cartridge body 4202. Thereafter, the retainer 7400 maybe pressed toward the staple cartridge 4200 causing the retainer lugs7410 to flex laterally outward and snap into latching engagement withthe corresponding deck ledge portions 4205. Other retainer latchingarrangements disclosed herein may also be employed to removably affixthe retainer 7400 to the staple cartridge 4200. The retainer 7400 may beremoved from the staple cartridge 4200 by applying a prying motion tothe distal latch tab 7422 and lifting upward until the retainer lugs7410 disengage the deck ledge portions 4205. In the illustrated example,the term “LIFT” is molded or embossed into the nose portion 7420 toprovide removal instructions to the user.

Referring now to FIGS. 53-56, the retainer 7400 further comprises anauthentication key 7430 that is configured to defeat the first lockout7300 when the retainer 7400 is attached to the surgical staple cartridge4200 and the surgical staple cartridge 4200 has been operably seated inthe first jaw or frame 7010. As can be seen in FIG. 53, theauthentication key 7430 protrudes proximally from a proximal end 7401 ofthe top portion 7402 of the retainer 7400 and comprises a right rampfeature 7440 and a left ramp feature 7450 that are separated by a space7460 that is sized to receive the firing member body 4052 therebetween.In the illustrated example, the right ramp 7440 angles downward from thetop portion 7402 of the retainer 7400 and comprises a proximal right tip7442 that comprises a first right or proximal right cam surface 7444that angles inward at the tip. A second right or distal right camsurface 7446 is located below the first right cam surface 7444. Thesedual sequential cam surfaces 7444, 7446 are configured to interface withthe actuator cam surface 7324 on the actuator cam arm 7322 to move thefirst lockout arm 7310 from the jaw locking position to a “jaw closureposition” in the various manners described above. Similarly, the leftramp 7450 angles downward from the top portion 7402 of the retainer 7400and comprises a proximal left tip 7452 that comprises a first left orproximal left cam surface 7454 that angles inward at the tip. A secondleft or distal left cam surface 7456 is located below the first rightcam surface 7444. These dual sequential cam surfaces 7454, 7456 areconfigured to interface with the actuator cam surface 7324 on theactuator cam arm 7322 of a first lockout arm 7310 that is mounted on theleft or opposite side of a frame axis FA. The retainer 7400 additionallycomprises a retainer keel 7470 that protrudes from the bottom surface ofthe top portion 7402 and is oriented to be received within thelongitudinal slot 4206 in the surgical staple cartridge 4200. Retainerkeel 7470 may serve to properly orient the retainer 7400 on the surgicalstaple cartridge 4200 so that the right and left ramps 7440 and 7450extend on each side of the firing member 4050. The retainer keel 7470may also be sized relative to the longitudinal slot 4206 to create africtional retaining engagement therewith when the retainer 7400 isattached to the staple cartridge 4200 and also retain the sled 4230 inthe unfired position with the staple cartridge 4200.

In use, the retainer 7400 is attached to the staple cartridge 4200 inthe various manners disclosed herein to form a cartridge assembly 7500.The cartridge assembly 7500 may then be inserted into the first jaw orframe 7010 so as to bring the right ramp 7440 of the authentication key7430 into engagement with the actuator cam surface 7324 on the actuatorcam arm 7322. During the initial proximal insertion of the cartridgeassembly 7500, the first right cam surface 7444 biases the actuator camarm 7322 laterally outward to an intermediate position. Furtherlongitudinal advancement of the cartridge assembly 7500 into the firstjaw or frame 7010 in a proximal direction causes the first cam surface7444 to disengage the actuator cam surface 7324 and the second right camsurface 7446 to engage the actuator cam surface 7324 to move the firstlockout arm 7310 from the intermediate position into the fullydisengaged or jaw closure position. When the first lockout arm 7310 isin the unlocked or jaw closure position, the retention tab 7326 isreceived within the tab window 7024 in the frame sidewall 7020 and isretained therein by the staple cartridge 4200. When in that position,the first lockout 7300 is in the unlocked or jaw closure position orstated another way is “defeated”, unlocked or unlatched. The user maythen remove the retainer 7400 from the surgical staple cartridge 4200 byprying the up the distal latch tab 7422 and lifting the retainer 7400upward until the retainer lugs 7410 disengage the deck ledge portions4205. The anvil 7100 is now movable between the open and closed positionand the surgical staple cartridge 4200 is otherwise capable of beingfired. In at least one version, the surgical stapling device 7002 mayinclude a second lockout 4600 that is configured to prevent the firingmember 4050 from distally advancing through the staple firing strokewhen a spent staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw or frame 7010in the various manners discussed above. After the staple cartridge 4200has been fired, the firing member 4050 is retracted back to the startingposition and the second jaw or anvil 7100 is pivoted back to the openposition. The spent staple cartridge may then be removed from the firstjaw or frame 7010. Once the spent staple cartridge 4200 has been removedfrom the first jaw or frame 7010, the first lockout spring biases thefirst lockout arm 7310 back to an engaged or jaw locking positionwherein second jaw or anvil is prevented from moving from the open toclosed position.

As can be seen in FIG. 52, the surgical stapling device 7002 employs afirst lockout 7300 that is positioned within the first jaw or frame 7010on a first side 7005 of a frame axis FA that lies on a common plane withthe cartridge axis CA when a staple cartridge is operably seated in theframe 7010. FIG. 56 illustrates a second surgical stapling device 7002′that is identical to surgical stapling device 7002, except that thefirst lockout 7300′ is positioned within the first jaw or frame 7010′ ona second or opposite side 7007 of the center frame axis FA. In suchinstances, the left ramp 7450 of the authentication key 7430 serves tomove the first lockout arm 7310′ from the engaged or locked position tothe disengaged or unlocked position when the cartridge assembly 7500′ isseated into the first jaw of frame 7010′ of the surgical stapling device7002′. A 45 mm surgical stapling device may have the first lockout on aright side of the cartridge axis and a 60 mm surgical stapler may havethe first lockout on a left side of the cartridge axis and visa versa.Or a certain specialty stapling device such as a vascular stapler or athoracic staple may have the lockout on a different side than amultipurpose stapler.

Referring to FIG. 57, an example of a surgical stapling assembly 8000 isshown. The surgical stapling assembly 8000 may be employed in connectionwith the surgical instrument 1010 described above or in connection witha variety of other surgical instruments or robots described in variousdisclosures that have been incorporated by reference herein. Thesurgical stapling assembly 8000 may be employed in connection withelectrically controlled, battery powered manually powered and/or roboticcontrolled surgical instruments in the various forms disclosed in theaforementioned incorporated disclosures. As can be seen in FIG. 57, thesurgical stapling assembly 8000 comprises a surgical stapling devicegenerally designated as 8002 that comprises first jaw or frame 8010 thatis configured to operably support a staple cartridge 4200 therein. Thefirst jaw 8010 is attached to a spine of the shaft assembly of thesurgical instrument or robot in the various manners described herein. Inthe illustrated example, the first jaw 8010 is attached to the spineportion of the shaft assembly (not shown in FIG. 57), by a shaft mountflange 8030 that is pinned by a pin or otherwise attached to a proximalend 8014 of the first jaw 8010. Other methods of attaching and operablyinterfacing the surgical device 8002 with a shaft of a surgicalinstrument may also be employed. For example, the stapling device 8002may be attached to the shaft assembly such that the stapling device(sometimes also referred to as an “end effector”) is not capable ofarticulating relative to the shaft assembly.

Still referring to FIG. 57, the surgical stapling assembly 8000 furthercomprises a firing member assembly 5040 that comprises a knife bar 5042that is attached to a knife member 5050 or “firing member”. The knifebar 5042 also interfaces with corresponding components and firingsystems in the surgical instrument or robot to receive firing motionswhich can distally advance the knife bar 5042 and firing member 5050through a staple firing stroke from a starting position to an endingposition and also retract the knife bar 5042 and firing member 5050proximally to return the firing member 5050 to the starting position. Inthe illustrated arrangement, the firing member 5050 comprises a firingmember body 5052 that supports a cutting edge or knife edge 5053. Thefiring member 5050 further comprises a foot 5054 that is formed on thebottom of the firing member body 5052 and extends laterally from eachside thereof. The firing member 5050 further comprises a pair of toppins or tabs 5056 that extend laterally from the firing member body 5052that are adapted to engage ledges on an anvil as will be discussedfurther herein. Additionally, the firing member 5050 comprises a pair ofcentral pins or tabs 5058 that protrude laterally from each side of thefiring member body 5052. In some of the disclosures incorporated byreference herein, the firing member 5050 may also be referred to as an“E-Beam” firing member or cutting member.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 8002 furthercomprises a second jaw or anvil 8100 that is movable relative to thefirst jaw or frame 8010. The anvil 8100 comprises an anvil body 8102 andan anvil mounting portion 8110. The anvil body 8102 comprises a stapleforming undersurface or tissue contacting surface 8104 that has a seriesof staple forming pockets (not shown) formed therein that are arrangedto form corresponding staples as they are driven into forming contacttherewith. The anvil mounting portion 8110 comprises a pair of laterallyextending anvil pins or trunnion pins 8112 that are configured to bereceived in corresponding trunnion holes 8022 in the upstandingsidewalls 8020 of the first jaw or frame 8010. Unlike the anvil 4100described above, the anvil 8100 is pivotally pinned to the frame 8010for pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed pivot axis. Statedanother way, unlike anvil 4100, anvil 8100 does not materially moveaxially or translate during the anvil closure process.

As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which havebeen incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 8100 may be movablefrom an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge mayeither be removed from the first jaw or frame 8010 or an unfired staplecartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by anaxially movable closure member or end effector closure tube (not shown).For example, as the closure member is moved distally from a proximalposition, the closure tube may operably engage a cam surface on theanvil mounting portion 8110. Such interaction between the closure memberand the anvil mounting portion 8110 causes the anvil mounting portion8110 and the trunnion pins 8112 to pivot until the closure member movesthe anvil 8100 to a fully closed position. When in the fully closedposition, the staple-forming pockets in the anvil 8100 are properlyaligned with the staples in a corresponding compatible surgical staplecartridge that has been operably seated in the first jaw or frame 8010.When the axially movable closure member is thereafter moved in aproximal direction, the closure member causes the anvil 8100 to pivotback to the open position.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling assembly 8000 furthercomprises a first lockout 8300 that is configured to prevent the firingmember 5050 from moving distally from its proximal-most startingposition when an authorized or compatible staple cartridge is notoperably seated in the first jaw or frame 8010. The first lockout 8300may also be referred to herein as an “authentication” lockout. In theillustrated arrangement, the first lockout 8300 comprises a single,bi-lateral first spring 8310 that is supported in the proximal end 8014of the frame 8010 and attached to the shaft mount flange 8030. In onearrangement for example, the first spring 8310 comprises a first lockoutarm 8312 that is located on one side of the cartridge axis CA and asecond lockout arm 8314 that is located on an opposite side of thecartridge axis CA from the first lockout arm 8312. The first and secondlockout arms 8312, 8314 are attached to a central body portion 8316. SeeFIG. 58. The spring 8310 is mounted in the first jaw or frame 8010 andaffixed to the shaft mount flange 8030 by a pin 8034 that extendsthrough holes 8036 in the shaft mount flange 8030 and through holes 8318in the first lockout arm 8312 and the second lockout arm 8314. The firstlockout arm 8312 and the second lockout arm 8314 each further comprise alockout window or opening 8320 therein that are each adapted to receivetherein the corresponding central pin 5058 protruding from the first andsecond sides of the firing member 5050 when the firing member 5050 is inits proximal-most or starting position. See FIGS. 59 and 61.

FIGS. 59-61 illustrate the first lockout 8300 in the locked positionwherein the central pins 5058 are received within the lockout windows8320 in the first and second lockout arms 8312, 8314. In somearrangements, those staple cartridges that are compatible with thesurgical stapling device 8002 or, stated another way, those staplecartridges that have the proper number, size and arrangement of staples,may have one or more unlocking keys directly formed on the cartridgebody and/or cartridge pan that are configured to defeat the firstlockout when the compatible cartridge is operably seated in the firstjaw or frame. Various cartridges that have unlocking keys protrudingtherefrom are disclosed in various disclosures which have been hereinincorporated by reference. In other instances, however, the clinicianmay wish to use staple cartridges that are otherwise compatible with thesurgical stapling assembly, but otherwise lack the unlocking keys. Insuch instances, the clinician would be unable to otherwise use thosecompatible staple cartridges in the surgical stapling device. Thesurgical stapling assembly 8000 includes features designed to facilitateuse of such compatible staple cartridges that otherwise lack unlockingkey features.

Turning now to FIG. 57, the stapling assembly 8000 further comprises aretainer 4400 that is configured to be removably coupled to the staplecartridge 4200. Specific details concerning the retainer 4400 werediscussed above and will not be repeated here. As indicated above, theretainer 4400 further comprises an authentication key 4430 that isconfigured to defeat the first lockout 4300 when the retainer 4400 isattached to the staple cartridge 4200 and the staple cartridge 4200 hasbeen operably seated in the first jaw or frame 8010. As can be seen inFIG. 11, the authentication key 4430 protrudes proximally from aproximal end 4401 of the top portion 4402 of the retainer 4400 andcomprises a right ramp feature 4440 and a left ramp feature 4450 thatare separated by a space 4460 that is sized to receive the firing memberbody 4052 therebetween. In the illustrated example, the right ramp 4440angles downward from the top portion 4402 of the retainer 4400 andcomprises a proximal right tip 4442. The proximal right tip 4442 definesa first right cam surface 4444 that angles inward at the tip and extendsdistally to a second right cam surface 4446. The second right camsurface 4446 extends from the first right cam surface 4444 to the topportion 4402. See FIG. 12. Similarly, the left ramp 4450 angles downwardfrom the top portion 4402 of the retainer 4400 and comprises a proximalleft tip 4452. The proximal left tip 4452 angles inward at the tip andextends distally to a second left cam surface 4456. The second left camsurface extends from the first left cam surface 4454 to the top portion4402.

Referring now to FIGS. 61 and 62, in use the retainer 4400 is removablyattached to the staple cartridge 4200 to form a cartridge assembly 4500.The cartridge assembly 4500 is then inserted into the first jaw or frame8010 so as to bring the right tip 4442 of the authentication key intocontact with an upstanding unlocking tab 8322 on the first lockout arm8312 and the left tip 4452 into contact with an upstanding unlocking tab8324 on the second lockout arm 8314. During the initial proximalinsertion of the cartridge assembly 4500, the first right cam surface4444 biases the first lockout arm 8312 laterally outward (arrow RL inFIG. 62) and the first left cam surface 4454 biases the second lockoutarm 8314 laterally outward (arrow LL). Further longitudinal advancementof the cartridge assembly 4500 into the first jaw or frame 8010 in aproximal direction causes the first lockout arm 8312 to attain a firstintermediate position wherein the first lockout arm 8312 disengages thecorresponding central pin 5058 on the firing member 5050 and also causesthe second lockout arm 8314 to attain a second intermediate positionwherein the second lockout arm 8314 disengages the corresponding centralpin 5058 on the firing member 5050. Continued longitudinal insertion ofthe cartridge assembly 4500 into the first jaw or frame 8010 in aproximal direction causes the second right cam surface 4446 to furtherbias the first lockout arm 8312 laterally outward and the second leftcam surface 4456 to further bias the second lockout arm 8314 laterallyoutward until the cartridge assembly 4500 is completely operably seatedin the first jaw or frame 8010. See FIG. 63.

When the cartridge assembly 4500 has been operably seated in the firstjaw or frame 5010, a distal first retention tab 8326 on the firstlockout arm 8312 engages a corresponding side of the staple cartridge4200 to retain the first lockout arm 8312 in that unlocked position. Ascan be seen in FIG. 63, a clearance pocket 8021R is provided in thesidewall 8020 to accommodate the first retention tab 8326 in thatposition. Likewise a distal second retention tab 8328 formed on thesecond lockout arm 8314 engages another corresponding side of the staplecartridge 4200 to retain the second lockout arm 8314 in that unlockedposition. A clearance pocket 8021L is provided in the sidewall 8020 toaccommodate the second retention tab 8328 in that position. When in thatposition, the first lockout 8300 is in the unlocked position or, statedanother way, is “defeated”. The user may then remove the retainer 4400from the staple cartridge 4200 in the above-described manner. With thefirst lockout 8300 defeated or unlocked, the firing member 5050 may bedistally advanced from the starting position and is in a “ready state”.

After the staple cartridge 4200 has been fired, the firing member 5050is retracted back to the starting position and the second jaw or anvil8100 is pivoted back to the open position. The spent staple cartridgemay then be removed from the first jaw or frame 8010. Once the spentstaple cartridge 4200 has been removed from the first jaw or frame 8010,the first and second lockout arms 8312, 8314 spring back into engagementwith the corresponding central pins 5058 on the firing member 5050 toonce again retain the firing member 5050 in the starting position. Also,in at least one version, the surgical stapling device 8002 also includesa second lockout 5600 that is configured to prevent the firing member5050 from distally advancing through the staple firing stroke when aspent staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw or frame 8010. Detailsconcerning the operation of the second lockout were provided above andwill not be repeated here.

Further to the above, at least one form of the retainer 4400 may beattached to various staple cartridges that are adapted to be used with(compatible with) different forms of surgical stapling devices. Statedanother way, the retainer 4400 may be used on staple cartridges that canbe seated in different stapling devices to defeat the various lockoutmechanisms of those stapling devices. Staple cartridge 8200 maysimilarly be used with different stapling devices that have differentforms of lockouts. For example, FIG. 64 illustrates a surgical staplingsystem generally designated as 8600 which comprises a first staplingdevice 4002 and at least a second stapling device 8002. The retainer4400 may be coupled to surgical staple cartridges 4200 to form acartridge assembly 4500 that is compatible with one of both of thesurgical stapling devices 4002, 8002. When the retainer 4400 is attachedto a compatible staple cartridge 4200 to form an assembled cartridgearrangement 4500, the assembled cartridge arrangement may be used ineither of the devices 4002, 8002. Likewise, the staple cartridge 4200may also be used in either of the stapling devices 4002, 8002. Surgicalstapling device 4002 employs a translating anvil 4100; stapling device8002 employs a pivoting anvil 8100. These devices offer very differentamounts of space for the authentication key arrangements to operate dueto the different amounts of space required for the anvils of each deviceto move between the open and closed positions. Thus, in variousapplications, the authentication ramp features may need to be rathernarrow and employ staged and vertically displaced camming surfaces inorder to actuate the lockout configurations of both types of staplingdevices.

In connection with another general aspect, the various authenticationkeys and authentication ramps disclosed herein may be mixed and matchedwith retainer body configurations disclosed herein such that oneretainer/authentication key/ramp configuration may be employed withstaple cartridges that can be used in a plurality of stapling devicesdisclosed herein. Such retainer authentication key/ramp configurationsmay be used to defeat a plurality of the lockout systems in thosevarious stapling devices. Stated another way, oneretainer/authentication key/authentication ramp configuration may beemployed to unlock the jaw blocking lockouts and/or the firing memberlockouts on several of the stapling devices disclosed herein.

As discussed herein, the authentication key arrangement may be providedon a detachable retainer, on the cartridge pan, on the cartridge body,on the sled or on another ancillary attached part. These authenticationkeys may be fashioned such that they could defeat the various firstlockout systems of those surgical stapling devices disclosed herein thatemploy a translating jaw arrangement as well as the first lockoutsystems of those surgical stapling devices that employ a jaw arrangementthat is pivotable about a fixed pivot axis. The design of such“universal” authentication keys may be limited and dictated by theamount of available space in such devices when the movable jaw or anvilis in the closed position (for those keys designed to be resident in thedevice throughout the stapling firing operation) as well as in the openposition.

When designing authentication key configurations that may be employed todefeat lockouts in surgical stapling devices that employ a translatingjaw as well lockouts in surgical stapling devices that employ a movablejaw that pivots about a fixed axis, the amount of available space thatis available in each surgical stapling device will necessarily dictate aparticular shape of a “universal” authentication key. Because the jawshapes and travel paths are different in these types of surgicalstapling devices, the amount of available space for the authenticationkeys when the jaws are open and closed differ.

FIGS. 64A-C illustrate an example of an amount of space that isavailable to accommodate an authentication key 4228A of a staplecartridge 4200A, wherein the authentication key feature 4228A formed ona bottom portion of the cartridge pan 4220A and when the staplecartridge 4200A is seated in, for example, a surgical stapling device4002 that has a translating anvil 4100 that is in the closed position.As can be seen in those Figures, a “closed” space envelop 4800 has avertical leg 4800V and a horizontal leg 4800H, wherein when used inconnection with one surgical stapling device: a is approximately 0.16inches, b is approximately 0.14 inches, c is approximately 0.047 inches,d is approximately 0.025 inches, e is approximately 0.04 inches, f isapproximately 0.035 inches, and g is approximately 0.05 inches, forexample. FIGS. 64D-64G illustrate an “open” space envelope 4802 for thestaple cartridge 4200A when the jaws of the surgical stapling device areopen, wherein: h is approximately 0.14 inches, i is approximately 0.26inches, j is approximately 0.17 inches, k is approximately 0.04 inches,L is approximately 0.0.07 inches, and M is approximately 0.03 inches,for example.

FIGS. 64H-J illustrate an example of an amount of space that isavailable to accommodate an authentication key 4228B of another staplecartridge 4200B, wherein the authentication key feature 4228B formed ona bottom portion of the cartridge pan 4220B and when the staplecartridge 4200B is seated in, for example, a surgical stapling device4002 that has a translating anvil 4100 that is in the closed position.As can be seen in those Figures, a “closed” space envelop 4804 has avertical leg 4804V and a horizontal leg 4804H, wherein when used inconnection with one surgical stapling device: n is approximately 0.16inches, o is approximately 0.16 inches, p is approximately 0.14 inches,q is approximately 0.025 inches, r is approximately 0.04 inches, s isapproximately 0.095 inches, t is approximately 0.05 inches, for example.

FIGS. 64K-M illustrate an example of an amount of space that isavailable to accommodate an authentication key 4228C of a staplecartridge 4200C, wherein the authentication key feature 4228C formed ona bottom portion of the cartridge pan 4220C and when the staplecartridge 4200C is seated in, for example, a surgical stapling device4002 that has a translating anvil 4100 that is in the closed position.As can be seen in those Figures, a “closed” space envelop 4806 has avertical leg 4806V and a horizontal leg 4806H, wherein when used inconnection with one surgical stapling device: u is approximately 0.16inches, v is approximately 0.15 inches, w is approximately 0.037 inches,x is approximately 0.025 inches, y is approximately 0.04 inches, z isapproximately 0.095 inches, and aa is approximately 0.06 inches, forexample. FIGS. 64N-Q illustrate an “open” space envelope 4808 for thestaple cartridge 4200C when the jaws of the surgical stapling device areopen, wherein: bb is approximately 0.26 inches, cc is approximately 0.23inches, dd is approximately 0.12 inches, ee is approximately 0.12inches, ff is approximately 0.08 inches, and gg is approximately 0.04inches, for example.

FIGS. 64R-T illustrate an example of an amount of space that isavailable to accommodate an authentication key 4228D of a staplecartridge 4200D, wherein the authentication key feature 4228D formed ona bottom portion of the cartridge pan 4220D and when the staplecartridge 4200D is seated in, for example, a surgical stapling device8002 that has an anvil 8100 that movable between an open and closedposition about a fixed pivot axis. As can be seen in those Figures, a“closed” space envelop 4810 has a vertical leg 4810V and a horizontalleg 4810H, wherein when used in connection with one surgical staplingdevice: hh is approximately 0.16 inches, ii is approximately 0.20inches, jj is approximately 0.047 inches, kk is approximately 0.025inches, ll is approximately 0.05 inches, mm is approximately 0.025inches, and nn is approximately 0.09 inches, for example. FIGS. 64U-64Xillustrate an “open” space envelope 4812 for the staple cartridge 4200Dwhen the jaws of the surgical stapling device are open, wherein: oo isapproximately 0.09 inches, pp is approximately 0.08 inches, qq isapproximately 0.05 inches, rr is approximately 0.06 inches, ss isapproximately 0.10 inches, and tt is approximately 0.03 inches, and uuis approximately 0.09 inches, for example.

FIGS. 64Y-64ZZ illustrate an example of an amount of space that isavailable to accommodate an authentication key 4228E of a staplecartridge 4200E, wherein the authentication key feature 4228E formed ona bottom portion of the cartridge pan 4220E and when the staplecartridge 4200E is seated in, for example, a surgical stapling device8002 that has an anvil 8100 that movable between an open and closedposition about a fixed pivot axis. As can be seen in those Figures, a“closed” space envelop 4814 has a vertical leg 4814V and a horizontalleg 4814H, wherein when used in connection with one surgical staplingdevice: vv is approximately 0.16 inches, ww is approximately 0.20inches, xx is approximately 0.047 inches, yy is approximately 0.025inches, zz is approximately 0.05 inches, aaa is approximately 0.085inches, and bbb is approximately 0.09 inches, for example.

FIGS. 65-71 illustrate another surgical stapling assembly 9000 that issimilar in many aspects to surgical stapling assembly 7000 discussedabove. The surgical stapling assembly 9000 comprises a surgical staplingdevice 9002 that may be employed in connection with the surgicalinstrument 1010 described above or in connection with a variety of othersurgical instruments and robots described in various disclosures thathave been incorporated by reference herein. As can be seen in FIG. 65,the surgical stapling device 9002 comprises a first jaw or frame 9010that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge 9200 therein.The first jaw or frame 9010 is attached to a spine of the shaft assemblyin the various manners described herein. In the illustrated example, thefirst jaw or frame 9010 is attached to the spine of a shaft assembly(not shown in FIG. 65), by a shaft mount flange 9030. The surgicalstapling device 9002 may also be used in connection with shaftassemblies that do not facilitate articulation of the surgical staplingdevice 9002.

Still referring to FIG. 65, the surgical stapling device 9002 furthercomprises a firing member assembly 4040 that comprises a knife bar (notshown) that is attached to a knife member 4050 or “firing member”.Operation of the firing member 4050 and the knife bar were discussed indetail above and will not be repeated here. The surgical stapling device9002 further comprises a second jaw or anvil 9100 that is movablerelative to the first jaw or frame 9010. The anvil 9100 comprises ananvil body 9102 and an anvil mounting portion 9110. The anvil body 9102comprises a staple forming undersurface or tissue contacting surface9104 that has a series of staple forming pockets (not shown) formedtherein that are arranged to form corresponding staples as they aredriven into forming contact therewith. The anvil mounting portion 9110comprises a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnion pins 9112that are configured to be received in corresponding trunnion holes 9022in the upstanding sidewalls 9020 of the first jaw or frame 9010. Unlikethe anvil 6100 described above, the anvil 9100 is pivotally pinned tothe frame 9010 for pivotal travel relative thereto about a fixed pivotaxis. Stated another way, unlike anvil 6100, anvil 9100 does notmaterially move axially or translate during the anvil closure process.

As discussed above, as well as in several of the disclosures which havebeen incorporated by reference herein, the anvil 9100 may be movablefrom an open position wherein a used or spent staple cartridge mayeither be removed from the first jaw or frame 9010 or an unfired staplecartridge may be operably seated therein to a closed position by anaxially movable closure member or end effector closure tube 9600 (FIG.69). For example, as the closure tube 9600 is moved distally from aproximal position, the closure tube 9600 may operably engage a camsurface 9113 on the anvil mounting portion 9110. Such interactionbetween the closure tube 9600 and the anvil mounting portion 9110 causesthe anvil mounting portion 9110 and the anvil trunnion pins 9112 topivot until the closure member moves the anvil 9100 to a fully closedposition. When in the fully closed position, the staple-forming pocketsin the anvil 9100 are properly aligned with the staples in acorresponding compatible staple cartridge 9200 that has been operablyseated in the first jaw or frame 9010. When the axially movable closuretube 9600 is thereafter moved in a proximal direction, features on theclosure tube 9600 interface with the anvil mounting portion 9110 tocause the anvil 9100 to pivot back to the open position.

Further to the above, the surgical stapling device 9002 comprises afirst lockout 9300 that is configured to prevent the second jaw or anvil9100 from being movable from the open position to the closed position bythe closure tube 9600. The first lockout 9300 may also be referred toherein as an “authentication” lockout. In the illustrated arrangement,the first lockout 9300 comprises a first lockout arm 9310 that ispivotally supported in the first jaw or frame 9010 by a lockout pin 9312that is attached thereto. See FIG. 66. In one example, the first lockoutarm 9310 is fabricated from stainless steel or the like and the lockoutpin 9312 may be machined into the proximal end thereof. The lockout pin9312 is pivotally seated in a pivot hole 9013 in the frame 9010 tofacilitate pivotal travel of the first lockout arm 9310 between a jawlocking position and a jaw closure position. See FIG. 68. In theillustrated example, the first lockout arm 9310 is configured toblockingly engage a lock lug portion 9120 protruding downward from theanvil mounting portion 9110 when the first lockout arm 9310 is thelocked or jaw locking position. See FIG. 69. When the first lockout arm9310 is in that locked or engaged position, pivotal travel of the anvil9100 is prevented when the lock lug portion 9120 contacts the firstlockout arm 9310. It will be appreciated that the first lockout arm9310, as well as the lock lug portion 9120, are each sufficiently robustso as to resist substantial closure motions that applied to the anvil9100 to prevent closure of the anvil 9100.

Referring now to FIG. 66, a first lockout spring 9330 is supported in acorresponding sidewall 9020 of the first jaw or frame 9010 to apply alateral biasing force to the first lockout arm 9310 to bias the firstlockout arm 9310 in the locked direction LD (FIG. 68) to the locked orjaw locking position wherein the first lockout arm 9310 prevents theanvil 9100 from moving from the open position to the closed position. Ascan be seen in FIG. 66, the first lockout arm 9310 further comprises anupstanding cam actuator tab 9322 that is formed on a distal end 9320 ofthe first lockout arm 9310. As can be seen in FIG. 71, the cam actuatortab 9322 comprises an upper actuator cam surface 9324. In addition, alower actuator cam member 9326 is formed on the distal end 9320 of thefirst lockout arm 9310.

In at least one example, the stapling assembly 9000 comprises a staplecartridge 9200 that is identical to staple cartridge 4200 describedabove except that an authentication key 9430 is formed into a cartridgepan 9220. See FIG. 72. The authentication key 9430 is configured todefeat, unlock or unlatch the first lockout 9300 when the staplecartridge 9200 is operably seated in the frame 9010. As can be seen inFIG. 72, the authentication key 9430 protrudes proximally from aproximal end 9221 of the cartridge pan 9220 and comprises an upper rampfeature 9440 and a lower ramp feature 9450 that is vertically displacedfrom the upper ramp feature 9440. The authentication key 9430 is bent ina generally right angle from a portion 9223 of the cartridge pan 9220that extends across a portion of a distal end of the cartridge body9202. The upper ramp feature 9440 comprises an upper ramp tab 9441 thatis bent into the authentication key 9430 and the lower ramp feature 9450comprises a lower ramp tab 9451 that is bent into the authentication key9430. As can be seen in FIG. 72, both the upper ramp feature 9440 andthe lower ramp feature 9450 are located on a same side of a cartridgeaxis CA that is defined by the cartridge body 9202. The upper rampfeature 9440 is formed so that is its also proximal to the lower rampfeature 9450. As indicated above, the upper and lower ramp features9440, 9450 are bent out of the cartridge pan 9220. Stated another way,the upper and lower ramp features 9440, 9450 are integrally formed inthe cartridge pan 9220. In the illustrated example, the upper rampfeature 9440 comprises a first upper cam surface 9442 and a second uppercam surface 9444. The first upper cam surface 9442 is proximal to thesecond upper cam surface and is also angled relative to the second uppercam surface 9444. The lower ramp feature 9450 comprises a first lowercam surface 9452 and a second lower cam surface 9454. The first lowercam surface 9452 is proximal to the second lower cam surface 9454 and isalso angled relative to the first lower cam surface 9452.

FIGS. 73-77 illustrate the interaction between the upper and lower rampfeatures 9440, 9450 of the authentication key 9430 and the upperactuator cam surface 9324 on the cam actuator tab 9322 and the loweractuator cam member 9326. FIG. 73 illustrates the position of theauthentication key 9430 relative to the cam actuator tab 9322 when thestaple cartridge 9200 is initially longitudinally inserted (directionPD) into the frame 9010. As can be seen in FIG. 73, the first upper camsurface 9442 of the upper ramp feature 9440 is in camming engagementwith the upper actuator cam surface 9324 on the cam actuator tab 9322and begins to bias the cam actuator tab 9322, as well as the firstlockout arm 9310 laterally. As can be further seen in FIG. 73, a lockoutpocket 9021 is provided in the adjacent upstanding side wall 9020 of theframe 9010 to accommodate the cam actuator tab 9322 as the first lockoutarm 9310 is moved from the locked or jaw locking position to theunlocked or jaw closure position.

FIG. 74 illustrates the continued longitudinal insertion of the staplecartridge 9200 into the frame 9010 in a proximal direction. As can beseen in FIG. 74, the staple cartridge 9200 has been inserted to a pointwherein the first upper cam surface 9442 has proceeded past the upperactuator cam surface 9324 allowing a tip 9325 of the cam actuator tab9322 to engage the second upper cam surface 9444 on the upper rampfeature 9440 of the authentication key 9430. Such sequential interactioncontinues to move the cam actuator tab 9322 and the first lockout arm9310 laterally to an intermediate position between the locked or jawlocking position and the unlocked or jaw closure position.

FIG. 75 illustrates a position of the staple cartridge 9200 as itcontinues to be longitudinally inserted into the frame 9010 in theproximal direction PD. As can be seen in FIG. 75, the tip 9325 of thecam actuator tab 9322 remains in engagement with the second upper camsurface 9444 on the upper ramp feature 9440 and the lower actuator cammember 9326 has now engaged the first lower cam surface 9452 on thelower ramp feature 9450. This sequential interaction continues to movethe cam actuator tab 9322 as well as the first lockout arm 9310laterally.

FIG. 76 illustrates the position of the actuator tab 9322 after thestaple cartridge 9200 has been operably (fully) seated in the frame9010. As can be seen in FIG. 76, the lower actuator cam member 9326remains engaged with the second lower cam surface 9454 on the lower rampfeature 9450 and has moved the cam actuator tab 9322 laterally to beseated in the lockout pocket 9021 in the upstanding side wall 9020 ofthe frame 9010. When the first lockout arm 9310 is in that unlocked orjaw closure position shown in FIG. 76, the anvil 9100 may be pivotedfrom the open position to the closed position without being blocked bythe first lockout arm 9310. When the first lockout arm 9310 is in thelocked or jaw locking position, the lower actuator cam member 9326 islocated in front of the firing member body 4052 so that the jawunlocking procedure cannot be commenced by distally advancing the firingmember. The lower actuator cam member 9326 is positioned above thecentral pins 4058 of the firing member 4050 to provide adequateclearance therebetween during the unlocking procedure. FIGS. 77 and 78illustrate position of the first lockout arm 6310 relative to a portionof the anvil 9100 after the anvil 9100 has been pivoted to the closedposition.

The surgical stapling device 9002 may further comprise a second lockoutsimilar to second lockout 4600 for preventing the firing member 4050from advancing through the firing stroke when a spent staple cartridgeis seated in the first jaw of frame 9010. The second lockout 4600 wasdescribed in detail above and will not be repeated here.

FIG. 78A illustrates an alternative cartridge assembly 9500 that may beused in connection with the surgical stapling device 9002 in theabove-described manner. In the illustrated example, the cartridgeassembly 9500 comprises a staple cartridge 9200′ that has a retainer a6400″ attached thereto. Retainer 6400″ is similar to retainer 6400described above, except for the shape and configuration of theauthentication key 6430″ and ramp 6440″. The retainer 6400″ may in manyaspects be identical to retainer 6400 discussed above.

Still referring to FIG. 78A, the cartridge assembly 9500 comprises astaple cartridge 9200′ that is similar to staple cartridge 4200described above except that a second authentication ramp 9450′ is formedinto a cartridge pan 9220′ that is attached to the cartridge body 9202′.When the retainer 6400″ is attached to the staple cartridge 9200′ asshown, the ramp 6440″ comprises a “first” ramp that comprises a firstupper cam surface 6442″ and a second upper cam surface 6444″. The firstupper cam surface 6442″ is proximal to the second upper cam surface6444″ and is also angled relative to the second upper cam surface 6444″.The second authentication ramp 9450′ which is located on the cartridgepan 9220′ comprises a first lower cam surface 9452′ and a second lowercam surface 9454′. The second ramp 9450′ is positioned below the firstramp 6440″ on the retainer 6400″ and is positioned distal to the firstupper cam surface 6442″. When the cartridge assembly 9500 is operablyseated into the frame 9010 of the surgical stapling device 9002, thecombination of the first ramp 6440″ on the retainer 6400″ and the secondramp 9450″ on the cartridge pan 9220′ operates in the same manner as theupper ramp feature 9440 and the second ramp feature 9450 on cartridge9200 to sequentially defeat, unlock or unlatch the first lockout 9300 inthe manner described in detail above. Once the first lockout arm 9310has been moved to the unlocked or “jaw closure position”, the secondramp 9450′ retains the first lockout arm 9310 in that position. The usermay then remove the retainer 6400″ from the staple cartridge 9200′ andthe anvil 9100 may be pivoted from the open position to the closedposition.

FIGS. 78B-78C illustrate an alternative staple cartridge 9200″ that issimilar to staple cartridge 9200 described above except that a firstauthentication key 9430″ is formed or molded into the cartridge body9202″. The first authentication key 9430″ comprises a first ramp 9440″that has a first upper cam surface 9442″ and a second upper cam surface9444″ formed thereon. The first upper cam surface 9442″ is proximal tothe second upper cam surface 9444″ and is also angled relative to thesecond upper cam surface 9444″. The second authentication ramp 9450″which comprises a portion of the cartridge pan 9220″ comprises a firstlower cam surface 9452″ and a second lower cam surface 9454″. The secondauthentication ramp 9450″ is located below the first ramp 9440″ and ispositioned distal to the first upper cam surface 9442″. When thecartridge assembly 9200″ is operably seated into the frame 9010 of thesurgical stapling device 9002, the combination of the first ramp 9440″and the second ramp 9450″ operate in the same manner as the upper rampfeature 9440 and the lower ramp features 9450 on cartridge 9200 todefeat the first lockout 9300 in the manner described in detail above.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out inthe following example.

Example 1

A surgical stapling system comprising a first stapling device, a secondstapling device, a staple cartridge, and a retainer. The first staplingdevice comprises a first frame, a first jaw pivotably and axiallymovable relative to the first frame between a first open position and afirst closed position, a first firing member movable between a firststarting position and a first ending position during a first staplefiring stroke, and a first jaw lockout configured to prevent the firstjaw from being pivotally and axially movable from the first openposition to the first closed position. The first jaw lockout comprises afirst jaw lockout arm configured to releasably retain the first jaw inthe first open position. The second stapling device comprises a secondframe, a second jaw movable relative to the second frame between asecond open position and a second closed position about a fixed pivotaxis, a second firing member movable between a second starting positionand a second ending position during a second staple firing stroke, and asecond jaw lockout configured to prevent the second jaw from beingmovable from the second open position to the second closed position. Thesecond jaw lockout comprises a second jaw lockout arm configured toreleasably retain the second jaw in the second open position. The staplecartridge is configured for use in either of the first stapling deviceand the second stapling device. The staple cartridge comprises acartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot and a deck surface, aplurality of staple pockets opening through the deck surface, a stapleremovably stored in each staple pocket, and a sled movable through thecartridge body during the first and second firing strokes to fire thestaples. The retainer is removably mounted to the cartridge body to forma cartridge assembly. The retainer is supported on the deck surface whenattached to the cartridge body. The retainer comprises an authenticationkey that is configured to defeat the first jaw lockout by moving thefirst jaw lockout arm out of a first jaw locking position to permit thefirst jaw to be moved from the first open position to the first closedposition when the cartridge assembly is seated in the first staplingdevice. The authentication key is further configured to defeat thesecond jaw lockout by moving the second jaw lockout arm out of a secondjaw locking position to permit the second jaw to be moved from thesecond open position to the second closed position when the cartridgeassembly is seated in the second stapling device.

Example 2

The surgical stapling system of Example 1, wherein the first framedefines a first frame axis, wherein the first jaw lockout arm ispivotally supported on a first side of the first frame axis, and whereinthe second frame defines a second frame axis, and wherein the second jawlockout arm is pivotally supported on an opposite side of the secondframe axis.

Example 3

The surgical stapling system of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the first jawlockout arm is pivotally supported in the first frame for verticalmovement between the first jaw locking position and a first jaw closureposition, and wherein the second jaw lockout arm is pivotally supportedin the second frame for lateral movement between the second jaw lockingposition and a second jaw closure position.

Example 4

The surgical stapling system of Examples 1, 2 or 3, wherein theauthentication key comprises a first lockout ramp protruding from aproximal end of the retainer and a second lockout ramp protruding fromthe proximal end of the retainer. The first lockout ramp is configuredto move the first jaw lockout arm from the first jaw locking position toa first jaw closure position wherein the first jaw is movable from thefirst open position to the first closed position when the cartridgeassembly is seated in the first stapling device. The second lockout rampis configured to move the second jaw lockout arm from the second jawlocking position to a second jaw closure position wherein the second jawis movable from the second open position to the second closed positionwhen the cartridge assembly is seated in the second stapling device.

Example 5

The surgical stapling system of Example 4, wherein the first lockoutramp comprises a first proximal cam surface and a first distal camsurface. The first proximal cam surface is configured to move the firstjaw lockout arm from the first jaw locking position to a firstintermediate position when the cartridge assembly is initially insertedinto the first stapling device. The first distal cam surface isconfigured to engage the first jaw lockout arm when the first jawlockout arm is in the first intermediate position. The first distal camsurface moves the first jaw lockout arm from the first intermediateposition to the first jaw closure position when the cartridge assemblyis seated in the first frame. The second lockout ramp comprises a secondproximal cam surface and a second distal cam surface. The secondproximal cam surface is configured to move the second jaw lockout armfrom the second jaw locking position to a second intermediate position.The second distal cam surface is configured to engage the second jawlockout arm when the second jaw lockout arm is in the secondintermediate position. The second distal cam surface moves the secondjaw lockout arm from the second intermediate position to the second jawclosure position when the cartridge assembly is seated in the secondframe.

Example 6

The surgical stapling system of Example 5, wherein the first proximalcam surface is proximal to the first distal cam surface and verticallyoffset therefrom, and wherein the second proximal cam surface isproximal to the second distal cam surface and vertically offsettherefrom.

Example 7

The surgical stapling system of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, furthercomprising a third stapling device comprising a third frame, a third jawmovable relative to the third frame between a third open position and athird closed position, a third firing member movable between a thirdstarting position and a third ending position during a third staplefiring stroke, and a third firing member lockout movable between a thirdlocked position wherein the third firing member lockout prevents thethird firing member from moving distally from the third startingposition and a third unlocked position wherein the third firing memberis movable through the third staple firing stroke. The authenticationkey is further configured to move the third firing member lockout fromthe third locked position to the third unlocked position when thecartridge assembly is seated in the third frame.

Example 8

The surgical stapling system of Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8,wherein the first stapling device further comprises a first firingmember lockout configured to prevent the first firing member fromadvancing through the first staple firing stroke when a spent staplecartridge is seated in the first frame.

Example 9

The surgical stapling system of Example 8, wherein the first firingmember lockout comprises an abutment portion on the first frame, whereinthe abutment portion is configured to be contacted by the first firingmember when the spent staple cartridge is seated in the first staplingdevice.

Example 10

The surgical stapling system of Example 9, wherein the first firingmember is movable between a first unlocked position wherein the firstfiring member is distally movable from the first starting position tothe first ending position during the first staple firing stroke and afirst locked position wherein the abutment portion prevents the firstfiring member from moving distally.

Example 11

The surgical stapling system of Example 10, wherein the sled in thestaple cartridge is configured to move the first firing member from thefirst locked position to the first unlocked position when the sled is inan unfired position within the staple cartridge and the staple cartridgeis seated in the first frame.

Example 12

A retainer for use with a surgical staple cartridge configured for usewith a first surgical stapling device and a second surgical staplingdevice. The first surgical stapling device comprises a first jaw and afirst frame. The first jaw is pivotally and axially movable relative tothe first frame between a first open position and a first closedposition. The first surgical stapling device further comprises a firstjaw lockout configured to prevent the first jaw from moving between thefirst open position and the first closed position. The second surgicalstapling device comprises a second jaw and a second frame. The secondjaw is pivotally movable relative to the second frame about a fixedpivot axis between a second open position and a second closed position.The second surgical stapling device further comprises a second jawlockout configured to prevent the second jaw from moving from the secondopen position to the second closed positions. The retainer comprises aretainer body and an authentication key. The retainer body is configuredfor removable attachment to the surgical staple cartridge. Theauthentication key is configured to defeat the first jaw lockout whenthe retainer is attached to the surgical staple cartridge to form acartridge assembly and the cartridge assembly is seated in the firstframe. The authentication key is further configured to defeat the secondjaw lockout when the retainer is attached to the surgical staplecartridge to form the cartridge assembly and the cartridge assembly isseated in the second frame.

Example 13

The retainer of Example 12, wherein the surgical staple cartridge isconfigured for use with a third surgical stapling device comprising athird jaw that is movable relative to a third frame between a third openposition and a third closed position, wherein the third surgicalstapling device comprises a third firing member movable between a thirdstarting position and a third ending position during a third staplefiring stroke, wherein the third surgical stapling device furthercomprises a third firing member lockout configured to prevent the thirdfiring member from distally moving from the third starting position, andwherein the authentication key is configured to defeat the third firingmember lockout when the cartridge assembly is seated in the third frame.

Example 14

The retainer of Examples 12 or 13, wherein the surgical staple cartridgecomprises a cartridge deck surface, a plurality of staple pocketsdefined in the cartridge deck surface, and a plurality of staplesremovably stored in the staple pockets, and wherein the retainer body issized to cover the cartridge deck surface and the staple pockets definedtherein.

Example 15

The retainer of Examples 12, 13, or 14, wherein the first jaw lockoutcomprises a first jaw lockout arm movable between a first jaw lockingposition wherein the first jaw is prevented from moving from the firstopen position to the first closed position and a first jaw closureposition wherein the first jaw is movable to the first closed position,and wherein the authentication key is configured to defeat the first jawlockout by moving the first jaw lockout arm from the first jaw lockingposition to the first jaw closure position.

Example 16

The retainer of Example 15, wherein the first jaw lockout arm ispivotally supported in the first frame for vertical movement between thefirst jaw locking position and the first jaw closure position.

Example 17

The retainer of Examples 15 or 16, wherein the second jaw lockoutcomprises a second jaw lockout arm movable between a second jaw lockingposition wherein the second jaw is prevented from moving from the secondopen position to the second closed position and a second jaw closureposition wherein the second jaw is movable to the second closedposition, and wherein the authentication key is configured to defeat thesecond jaw lockout by moving the second jaw lockout arm out of thesecond jaw locking position to the second jaw closure position.

Example 18

The retainer of Example 17, wherein the second jaw lockout arm ispivotally supported in the second frame for lateral movement between thesecond jaw locking position and the second jaw closure position.

Example 19

A retainer for use with a surgical staple cartridge configured for usewith a first stapling device and a second stapling device. The firststapling device comprises a first jaw and a first frame. The first jawis pivotally and axially movable relative to the first frame between afirst open position and a first closed position. The first staplingdevice further comprises a first jaw lockout comprising a first jawlockout arm movable between a first jaw locking position configured toprevent the first jaw from moving between the first open position andthe first closed position and a first jaw closure position wherein thefirst jaw is movable to the first closed position. The second staplingdevice comprises a second jaw and a second frame. The second jaw ispivotally movable relative to the second frame about a fixed pivot axisbetween a second open position and a second closed position. The secondstapling device further comprises a second jaw lockout comprising asecond jaw lockout arm movable between a second jaw locking positionwherein the second jaw is prevented form moving from the second openposition to the second closed position and a second jaw closure positionwherein the second jaw is movable from the second open position to thesecond closed position. The retainer comprises a retainer body and anauthentication key. The retainer body is configured for removableattachment to the surgical staple cartridge to form a cartridgeassembly. The authentication key is configured to defeat the first jawlockout when the cartridge assembly is seated in the first frame bymoving the first jaw lockout arm in a first direction from the first jawlocking position to the first jaw closure position. The authenticationkey is further configured to defeat the second jaw lockout when thecartridge assembly is seated in the second frame by moving the secondjaw lockout arm in a second direction from the second jaw lockingposition to the second jaw closure position. The second directiondiffers from the first direction.

Example 20

The retainer of Example 19, wherein the surgical staple cartridge isconfigured for use with a third stapling device comprising a third jawthat is movable relative to a third frame between a third open positionand a third closed position, wherein the third stapling device comprisesa third firing member movable between a third starting position and athird ending position during a third staple firing stroke, wherein thethird stapling device further comprises a third firing member lockoutconfigured to prevent the third firing member from distally moving fromthe third starting position, and wherein the authentication key isfurther configured to defeat the third firing member lockout when thecartridge assembly is seated in the third frame.

Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivatedby an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems describedherein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances,the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by amanually-operated trigger, for example. In certain instances, the motorsdisclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a roboticallycontrolled system. Moreover, any of the end effectors and/or toolassemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with a robotic surgicalinstrument system. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENTARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example, disclosesseveral examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greaterdetail.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described inconnection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, theembodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments areenvisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps ortacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned whichutilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an endeffector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodesconfigured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an endeffector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrationalenergy to seal the tissue.

The entire disclosures of:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE,which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVINGSEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21,2006;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING ANDFASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued onSep. 9, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec.16, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING ANARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, whichissued on Jul. 13, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END EFFECTORS FORA SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 15, 2008, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,411;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,972, entitled MOTORIZED SURGICALINSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,083.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICALCUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROLASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE,filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,072,535;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,345,481;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0263552;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM,filed Jan. 31, 2006; and

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Although various devices have been described herein in connection withcertain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodimentsmay be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus,the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated ordescribed in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole orin part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one oremore other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials aredisclosed for certain components, other materials may be used.Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replacedby a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Theforegoing description and following claims are intended to cover allsuch modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the stepsincluding, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followedby cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, andsubsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioningfacility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, aftercleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device canbe reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety oftechniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use ofsuch techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all withinthe scope of the present application.

The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, anew or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. Theinstrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, theinstrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plasticor TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a fieldof radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation,x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria onthe instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may thenbe stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep theinstrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A devicemay also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art,including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethyleneoxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical stapling system, comprising: a first stapling device, comprising: a first frame; a first jaw pivotably and axially movable relative to said first frame between a first open position and a first closed position; a first firing member movable between a first starting position and a first ending position during a first staple firing stroke; and a first jaw lockout configured to prevent said first jaw from being pivotally and axially movable from said first open position to said first closed position, wherein said first jaw lockout comprises a first jaw lockout arm configured to releasably retain said first jaw in said first open position; and a second stapling device, comprising: a second frame; a second jaw movable relative to said second frame between a second open position and a second closed position about a fixed pivot axis; a second firing member movable between a second starting position and a second ending position during a second staple firing stroke; and a second jaw lockout configured to prevent said second jaw from being movable from said second open position to said second closed position, wherein said second jaw lockout comprises a second jaw lockout arm configured to releasably retain said second jaw in said second open position; and a staple cartridge configured for use in either of said first stapling device and said second stapling device, wherein said staple cartridge comprises: a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot and a deck surface; a plurality of staple pockets opening through said deck surface; a staple removably stored in each said staple pocket; and a sled movable through said cartridge body during said first and second firing strokes to fire said staples; and a retainer removably mounted to said cartridge body to form a cartridge assembly, wherein said retainer is supported on said deck surface when attached to said cartridge body, wherein said retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat said first jaw lockout by moving said first jaw lockout arm out of a first jaw locking position to permit said first jaw to be moved from said first open position to said first closed position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said first stapling device, and wherein said authentication key is further configured to defeat said second jaw lockout by moving said second jaw lockout arm out of a second jaw locking position to permit said second jaw to be moved from said second open position to said second closed position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said second stapling device.
 2. The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said first frame defines a first frame axis, wherein said first jaw lockout arm is pivotally supported on a first side of said first frame axis, and wherein said second frame defines a second frame axis, and wherein said second jaw lockout arm is pivotally supported on an opposite side of said second frame axis.
 3. The surgical stapling system of claim 2, wherein said authentication key comprises: a first lockout ramp protruding from a proximal end of said retainer, wherein said first lockout ramp is configured to move said first jaw lockout arm from said first jaw locking position to a first jaw closure position wherein said first jaw is movable from said first open position to said first closed position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said first stapling device; and a second lockout ramp protruding from said proximal end of said retainer, wherein said second lockout ramp is configured to move said second jaw lockout arm from said second jaw locking position to a second jaw closure position wherein said second jaw is movable from said second open position to said second closed position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said second stapling device.
 4. The surgical stapling system of claim 3, wherein said first lockout ramp comprises: a first proximal cam surface configured to move said first jaw lockout arm from said first jaw locking position to a first intermediate position when said cartridge assembly is initially inserted into said first stapling device; and a first distal cam surface configured to engage said first jaw lockout arm when said first jaw lockout arm is in said first intermediate position, wherein said first distal cam surface moves said first jaw lockout arm from said first intermediate position to said first jaw closure position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said first frame, and wherein said second lockout ramp comprises: a second proximal cam surface configured to move said second jaw lockout arm from said second jaw locking position to a second intermediate position; and a second distal cam surface configured to engage said second jaw lockout arm when said second jaw lockout arm is in said second intermediate position, wherein said second distal cam surface moves said second jaw lockout arm from said second intermediate position to said second jaw closure position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said second frame.
 5. The surgical stapling system of claim 4, wherein said first proximal cam surface is proximal to said first distal cam surface and vertically offset therefrom, and wherein said second proximal cam surface is proximal to said second distal cam surface and vertically offset therefrom.
 6. The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said first jaw lockout arm is pivotally supported in said first frame for vertical movement between said first jaw locking position and a first jaw closure position, and wherein said second jaw lockout arm is pivotally supported in said second frame for lateral movement between said second jaw locking position and a second jaw closure position.
 7. The surgical stapling system of claim 1, further comprising: a third stapling device, comprising: a third frame; a third jaw movable relative to said third frame between a third open position and a third closed position; a third firing member movable between a third starting position and a third ending position during a third staple firing stroke; and a third firing member lockout movable between a third locked position wherein said third firing member lockout prevents said third firing member from moving distally from said third starting position and a third unlocked position wherein said third firing member is movable through said third staple firing stroke, and wherein said authentication key is further configured to move said third firing member lockout from said third locked position to said third unlocked position when said cartridge assembly is seated in said third frame.
 8. The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said first stapling device further comprises a first firing member lockout configured to prevent said first firing member from advancing through said first staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in said first frame.
 9. The surgical stapling system of claim 8, wherein said first firing member lockout comprises an abutment portion on said first frame, wherein said abutment portion is configured to be contacted by said first firing member when the spent staple cartridge is seated in said first stapling device.
 10. The surgical stapling system of claim 9, wherein said first firing member is movable between a first unlocked position wherein said first firing member is distally movable from said first starting position to said first ending position during said first staple firing stroke and a first locked position wherein said abutment portion prevents said first firing member from moving distally.
 11. The surgical stapling system of claim 10, wherein said sled in said staple cartridge is configured to move said first firing member from said first locked position to said first unlocked position when said sled is in an unfired position within said staple cartridge and said staple cartridge is seated in said first frame.
 12. A retainer for use with a surgical staple cartridge configured for use with a first surgical stapling device comprising a first jaw and a first frame, wherein the first jaw is pivotally and axially movable relative to the first frame between a first open position and a first closed position, wherein the first surgical stapling device further comprises a first jaw lockout configured to prevent the first jaw from moving between the first open position and the first closed position, wherein the surgical staple cartridge is configured for use with a second surgical stapling device comprising a second jaw and a second frame, wherein the second jaw is pivotally movable relative to the second frame about a fixed pivot axis between a second open position and a second closed position, wherein the second surgical stapling device further comprises a second jaw lockout configured to prevent the second jaw from moving from the second open position to the second closed position and wherein said retainer comprises: a retainer body configured for removable attachment to the surgical staple cartridge; and an authentication key configured to defeat the first jaw lockout when said retainer is attached to the surgical staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly and the cartridge assembly is seated in the first frame, wherein said authentication key is further configured to defeat the second jaw lockout when said retainer is attached to the surgical staple cartridge to form the cartridge assembly and the cartridge assembly is seated in the second frame.
 13. The retainer of claim 12, wherein the surgical staple cartridge is configured for use with a third surgical stapling device comprising a third jaw that is movable relative to a third frame between a third open position and a third closed position, wherein the third surgical stapling device comprises a third firing member movable between a third starting position and a third ending position during a third staple firing stroke, wherein the third surgical stapling device further comprises a third firing member lockout configured to prevent the third firing member from distally moving from the third starting position, and wherein said authentication key is configured to defeat the third firing member lockout when the cartridge assembly is seated in the third frame.
 14. The retainer of claim 12, wherein the surgical staple cartridge comprises a cartridge deck surface, a plurality of staple pockets defined in the cartridge deck surface, and a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple pockets, and wherein said retainer body is sized to cover the cartridge deck surface and the staple pockets defined therein.
 15. The retainer of claim 12, wherein the first jaw lockout comprises a first jaw lockout arm movable between a first jaw locking position wherein the first jaw is prevented from moving from the first open position to the first closed position and a first jaw closure position wherein the first jaw is movable to the first closed position, and wherein said authentication key is configured to defeat the first jaw lockout by moving the first jaw lockout arm from the first jaw locking position to the first jaw closure position.
 16. The retainer of claim 15, wherein the first jaw lockout arm is pivotally supported in the first frame for vertical movement between the first jaw locking position and the first jaw closure position.
 17. The retainer of claim 16, wherein the second jaw lockout comprises a second jaw lockout arm movable between a second jaw locking position wherein the second jaw is prevented from moving from the second open position to the second closed position and a second jaw closure position wherein the second jaw is movable to the second closed position, and wherein said authentication key is configured to defeat the second jaw lockout by moving the second jaw lockout arm out of the second jaw locking position to the second jaw closure position.
 18. The retainer of claim 17, wherein the second jaw lockout arm is pivotally supported in the second frame for lateral movement between the second jaw locking position and the second jaw closure position.
 19. A retainer for use with a surgical staple cartridge configured for use with a first stapling device comprising a first jaw and a first frame, wherein the first jaw is pivotally and axially movable relative to the first frame between a first open position and a first closed position, wherein the first stapling device further comprises a first jaw lockout comprising a first jaw lockout arm movable between a first jaw locking position configured to prevent the first jaw from moving between the first open position and the first closed position and a first jaw closure position wherein the first jaw is movable to the first closed position, wherein the surgical staple cartridge is configured for use with a second stapling device comprising a second jaw and a second frame, wherein the second jaw is pivotally movable relative to the second frame about a fixed pivot axis between a second open position and a second closed position, wherein the second stapling device further comprises a second jaw lockout comprising a second jaw lockout arm movable between a second jaw locking position wherein the second jaw is prevented from moving from the second open position to the second closed position and a second jaw closure position wherein the second jaw is movable from the second open position to the second closed position, and wherein said retainer comprises: a retainer body configured for removable attachment to the surgical staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly; and an authentication key configured to defeat the first jaw lockout when said cartridge assembly is seated in the first frame by moving the first jaw lockout arm in a first direction from the first jaw locking position to the first jaw closure position, wherein said authentication key is further configured to defeat the second jaw lockout when said cartridge assembly is seated in the second frame by moving the second jaw lockout arm in a second direction from the second jaw locking position to the second jaw closure position, and wherein said second direction differs from said first direction.
 20. The retainer of claim 19, wherein the surgical staple cartridge is configured for use with a third stapling device comprising a third jaw that is movable relative to a third frame between a third open position and a third closed position, wherein the third stapling device comprises a third firing member movable between a third starting position and a third ending position during a third staple firing stroke, wherein the third stapling device further comprises a third firing member lockout configured to prevent the third firing member from distally moving from the third starting position, and wherein said authentication key is further configured to defeat the third firing member lockout when said cartridge assembly is seated in the third frame. 